Jakarta, May 9 -- President Prabowo Subianto said the government will provide 1,582 fishing vessels as part of efforts to improve the capacity and welfare of Indonesian fishermen.

Monitored online from Jakarta on Saturday, President Prabowo told the community of Kampung Nelayan Merah Putih in South Leato, Gorontalo, that the program is aimed at supporting the empowerment of Indonesian fishermen to ensure economic recovery.

"I want our fishermen to prosper. I want them to smile every day because they earn a good income. We will build 1,582 fishing vessels starting this year. We will help them, we will distribute the vessels," Prabowo said.

The vessels will be distributed through fishermen's cooperatives, with a more detailed scheme to b...