Businessmen urged to exploit RI's eastern waters
Businessmen urged to exploit RI's eastern waters
Rita A. Widiadana, The Jakarta Post, Nusa Dua, Bali
President Megawati Soekarnoputri, while expressing concern about the environment, called on local businessmen to make more of Eastern Indonesia's waters, home to an abundance of fish and other marine life.
"Most businessmen have been reluctant to open new ventures in this unexplored and rich marine resource area because they consider it technically and economically unfeasible," said the President, during the opening ceremony of a three-day conference, exhibition on Indonesian livestock and fish at Nusa Dua resort complex on Wednesday.
Participating in the conference and expo were delegates and fishing companies from 22 foreign countries, including Australia, the United States, Germany and France.
"We now have to start thinking about how to wisely explore our rich and diverse marine resources, as well as to boost agriculture," she said.
She admitted many obstacles were still hampering the government's efforts to accelerate development in the maritime sector. She said the government has been lacking strong coordination among its departments.
"From now on, I will bring along all related ministers if I make any official visit to any place to show them that cooperation is urgently needed to benefit the public," said Megawati, who was accompanied by Minister of Industry and Trade Rini Soewandi, State Minister for Science and Technology Hatta Rajasa, Minister of Agriculture Bungaran Saragih and Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Rokhmin Damhuri in the ceremony.
After the opening ceremony, Megawati and her entourage left for Gondol Beach in Buleleng regency, 160 kilometers north of Denpasar, to visit a marine and fishery research and development center. She was also expected to meet hundreds of local fishermen.
"I am very willing to directly and seriously be involved in any government and community program to intensify the national program for the development of marine resources," said the President.
Previously, State Minister Rokhmin Damhuri said that Indonesia still faced a number of difficulties in developing the fishing industry.
These obstacles include the shortage of human resources, the lack of related know-how and technology, ineffective market intelligence, conventional marketing system and the lack of promotional efforts.
"Despite its enormous marine resources, Indonesia only ranks sixth among the world's fish catchers," the minister said.
Indonesia caught around 4.5 million tons of fish in 2001. Fish exports amounted to $2 million in 2001.