Thais see more fishing opportunities in RI

Thais see more fishing opportunities in RI

BANGKOK (Reuters): Industry reforms taking place in post- Soeharto Indonesia should help Thai fishermen get more opportunities to fish in that country's waters, a senior industry source said yesterday.

Wanchai Sangsukian, president of the Thai Overseas Fisheries Association, told Reuters that reformation of Indonesian business practices by the new administration should enable Thais to expand investment in fishing there.

"It is highly possible that after Soeharto's resignation, other private investors will get more chances in Indonesia," he said.

"I am sure that the new government will make serious attempts to become more democratic and welcome more foreign investors."

Indonesia is important to Thai fishermen because its waters are a major source of supply for the Thai fish processing industry. Thailand's fish catch there is valued at about 1.0 billion baht a year.

The Indonesian government has said that from Dec. 31, 1999, foreign-registered fishing vessels would no longer be allowed to fish in Indonesian waters.

"About 200 Thai vessels will be affected by the ban," Wanchai said.

"I hope the new cabinet reviews and extends its 1999 cut-off date for granting licenses to foreigners to fish in Indonesian waters," he added.

According to the association's data there are up to 1,100 Thai fishing vessels operating in Indonesian waters now.

Most of them are continuing their fishing activities despite the Indonesian economic turmoil but have found that they have to pay more for diesel and other consumables.