Return to the sea, Soeharto says

Return to the sea, Soeharto says

JAKARTA (JP): President Soeharto said yesterday it was now
time for Indonesian people to "return to the sea" because land
resources were no longer adequate to meet their needs.

In a speech delivered by State Minister of Research and
Technology B.J. Habibie at the opening of the convention on
Indonesian maritime development in Ujungpandang, South Sulawesi,
Soeharto said Indonesia needed to give more attention to its
marine resources.

He said Indonesia's maritime development was slowed by lack of
money, technology and human resources. It is not easy to develop
the country's maritime industry without a lot of money, advanced
technology, accurate planning, implementation and control, the
President said.

"That is why we need proper coordination in its planning,
execution and control," he said.

Furthermore, he stressed, an integrated and comprehensive plan
needed to be drawn up because the maritime industry covered the
sectors of transportation, marine services, mines and energy,
tourism and human resources.

"I hope Indonesians will take concrete steps toward its
development," he added.

The meeting, which will conclude on Thursday, was preceded by
the presentation of a paper titled, "Agreement and Determination
in the Indonesian Maritime Continent Development."

The convention, which will conclude on Dec. 21, will be
highlighted with an exhibition of ships and a folk festival, as
well as the signing of at least 10 agreements including ones on
digital mapping for marine resources and development planning for
beach resorts. (swe)