Jakarta, July 15 -- Indonesia has set a special diesel fuel price of Rp15,000 (around US$0.83) per liter for fishing vessels with capacities of 30 to 200 gross tons (GT) to help reduce operating costs in the fisheries sector.

"The lowering of operating costs will enable fishers to increase their productivity at sea, help ensure a stable fish supply for consumers and industry, and strengthen the competitiveness of Indonesia's fisheries sector," Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Sakti Wahyu Trenggono said in a press statement received here on Wednesday.

The special fuel pricing policy follows President Prabowo Subianto's directive during a limited cabinet meeting with several ministers at his residence in Hambalang, Bogor, on Monday....