Subaquatic body to issue licenses

JAKARTA (JP): The Indonesian Subaquatic Sport Association (Porlasi) plans to hand over international certificates to 100 local scuba divers on Aug. 20.

Chairman of the association Djoko Pramono said yesterday that the certificates would be the first CMAS (world diving association) recognized licenses to be issued by the association.

"This is part of our efforts to help national scuba divers match their foreign counterparts in international events. The recipients will also be able to apply for jobs in marine tourism which are currently dominated by expatriates," Djoko said.

He said there are 14,000 local divers who possess national certificates but are unable to get jobs in marine tourism because they do not hold international licenses.

The association will issue the certificates in cooperation with the Ministry of Manpower and the Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture. Djoko is the inspector general of the tourism ministry. (yan)