Oceva to invest in South Sulawesi seaweed production

Downstream marine product company Oceva Indonesia Nusantara is targeting investment in South Sulawesi Province within the next six months.

"Because this investment requires official support from the provincial government, it must begin with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) that regulates the rights and obligations of the [involved] parties. Furthermore, a letter of support will be issued signed by the regional head," stated South Sulawesi Regional Secretary Jufri Rahman.

He also suggested Takalar Regency as the main location for the construction of the factory, as it is one of the largest seaweed production centers in South Sulawesi.

"They need a minimum of 11 hectares (ha) of land. I have suggested Takalar because it is close to the source of raw materials, so it can reduce transportation costs," Jufri said.

South Sulawesi is one of the national centers of seaweed production. The province's main production sites are in the regencies of Takalar, Maros, Pangkajene and Islands, Bone, and Selayar. Seaweed products from this area are mostly exported to China, Japan, and Europe.

Meanwhile, Oceva founder Fahrana Amelia Lubis explained that the investment plan is part of the company's strategic initiative that has been developed since 2024.

“The agenda is a meeting related to the development of the seaweed industry in South Sulawesi, especially in the Takalar and Maros regions. Today, we are holding a meeting to ask for support from the [South Sulawesi] Provincial Government. The goal is to strengthen the plan for foreign investment in the seaweed processing industry,” she explained.

Fahrana added that South Sulawesi was chosen because it is one of the largest seaweed producing areas in Indonesia.

“Around 65 percent of national seaweed [output] is produced in South Sulawesi. That is why Makassar was chosen as the pilot project for this seaweed downstream industry development,” she added.

Fahrana said that the factory could result in equitable distribution of wealth beyond the seaweed processing industry to seaweed farmers and the local community. If this project is successful, Oceva plans to expand the seaweed industry development towards other provinces in Indonesia.