A total of 1,800 companies from 89 countries participated in the worlds largest maritime exhibition, which was visited by 20 thousand people from around the world, according to a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Athena received by ANTARA here on Friday.
The Posidonia 2016 event was officially inaugurated by Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
On the sidelines of the event, Rizal met Greek Minister of Economy, Development, and Tourism George Stathakis to explore ways to intensify cooperation in the tourism sector, particularly for tourism promotion.
Rizal affirmed that in a bid to achieve the target of 20 million foreign tourists by 2019, Indonesia should take a cue from Greece, which had received 26 million tourists in 2015.
Rizal and Stathakis discussed opportunities for cooperation to develop the capacity of workforce engaged in the maritime sector by creating a curriculum for training centers.
Both countries will benefit from this cooperation as Indonesia can supply skilled labor required by Greek shipping companies.
Rizal also met Greek Maritime and Islands Policy Minister Thodoris Dritsas. The two ministers discussed the possibility of establishing cooperation for the development of infrastructure along the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lanes 2 through Lombok (West Nusa Tenggara), Kalimantan, and Sulawesi.
The Sea Lanes 2 can be developed as an alternative route, and it is a viable option, given the fact that Greece owns 30 percent of the worlds shipping fleet, which often sail through the Strait of Malacca.
In addition, cooperation in the field of maritime security was discussed as more than two-thirds of Indonesias territory comprises oceans.
According to the coordinating minister, Indonesia annually suffers losses amounting to US$20 billion due to illegal fishing. Indonesia needs to work closely with the Greek Coast Guard, especially in the fields of capacity building, maritime security technology, and the exchange of information.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
