Fishermen question financial aid

MANADO, North Sulawesi: Fishermen in the regency of Minahasa have questioned the absence of financial aid slated for small scale industries that they need to boost productivity.

The funds were provided by several state enterprises, and were intended to help small scale industries improve their products. Local fishermen, however, have been mostly forgotten.

Chairman of the fishermen's association Ferry Kolalih said on Wednesday that there were only two fishermen among the 50 recipients of the aid, who each received Rp 10 million (US$1,123) to continue their activities.

Kolalih suggested that the distribution of aid should involve local people so that it reached more poor families. -- Antara