Businessmen urged to exploit RI's eastern waters<\/p>\n
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali<\/p>\n
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, while expressing concern
\nabout the environment, called on local businessmen to make more
\nof Eastern Indonesia's waters, home to an abundance of fish and
\nother marine life.<\/p>\n
\"Most businessmen have been reluctant to open new ventures in
\nthis unexplored and rich marine resource area because they
\nconsider it technically and economically unfeasible,\" said the
\nPresident, during the opening ceremony of a three-day conference,
\nexhibition on Indonesian livestock and fish at Nusa Dua resort
\ncomplex on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
Participating in the conference and expo were delegates and
\nfishing companies from 22 foreign countries, including Australia,
\nthe United States, Germany and France.<\/p>\n
\"We now have to start thinking about how to wisely explore our
\nrich and diverse marine resources, as well as to boost
\nagriculture,\" she said.<\/p>\n
She admitted many obstacles were still hampering the
\ngovernment's efforts to accelerate development in the maritime
\nsector. She said the government has been lacking strong
\ncoordination among its departments.<\/p>\n
\"From now on, I will bring along all related ministers if I
\nmake any official visit to any place to show them that
\ncooperation is urgently needed to benefit the public,\" said
\nMegawati, who was accompanied by Minister of Industry and Trade
\nRini Soewandi, State Minister for Science and Technology Hatta
\nRajasa, Minister of Agriculture Bungaran Saragih and Minister of
\nMaritime Affairs and Fisheries Rokhmin Damhuri in the ceremony.<\/p>\n
After the opening ceremony, Megawati and her entourage left
\nfor Gondol Beach in Buleleng regency, 160 kilometers north of
\nDenpasar, to visit a marine and fishery research and development
\ncenter. She was also expected to meet hundreds of local
\nfishermen.<\/p>\n
\"I am very willing to directly and seriously be involved in
\nany government and community program to intensify the national
\nprogram for the development of marine resources,\" said the
\nPresident.<\/p>\n
Previously, State Minister Rokhmin Damhuri said that Indonesia
\nstill faced a number of difficulties in developing the fishing
\nindustry.<\/p>\n
These obstacles include the shortage of human resources, the
\nlack of related know-how and technology, ineffective market
\nintelligence, conventional marketing system and the lack of
\npromotional efforts.<\/p>\n
\"Despite its enormous marine resources, Indonesia only ranks
\nsixth among the world's fish catchers,\" the minister said.<\/p>\n
Indonesia caught around 4.5 million tons of fish in 2001. Fish
\nexports amounted to $2 million in 2001.<\/p>",
"url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/businessmen-urged-to-exploit-ris-eastern-waters-1447893297",
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"sponsor": "Okusi Associates",
"sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com"
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