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.