"The cooperation between the Transportation Ministrys Sea Transportation Directorate General and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore should be improved because the geographical location of the two countries are adjacent and separated by the Straits of Malacca and Singapore straits," Director of Shipping and Maritime Affairs Captain Rudiana said here on Thursday.
Indonesia and Singapore are members of the board of the International Maritime Organization Category C. Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia established the Tripartite Technical Experts Group (TTEG) in 1975 in recognition of the importance of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore for international navigation.
"Therefore, the capacity building was necessary to realize safety, security and efficient shipping on clean ocean.
"Since September 23, 2005, the Transportation Ministrys Sea Transportation Directorate General and Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore had established the cooperation on human resource development for government officials in the maritime field.
The cooperation is outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding and could be periodically renewed every two years.
"However, based on the amendment of the MOU, the training on human resource development applies for three years," he stated.
Rudiana pointed out that the training has been implemented properly.
"Each year, we evaluate the training or workshop. Singapore has sophisticated and advanced equipment. So we continue to cooperate on exchange of information, training and technical experts," he noted.
Benjamin Wong, Deputy Director of International Affairs of MPA, welcomed the sustainability of the cooperation that had facilitated the exchange of knowledge and expertise between the two institutions.
"Many programs had been implemented. As many as 900 officers of Indonesian Transportation Ministrys Sea Transportation Directorate General participated the capacity building," Wong said.
Wong expected that the cooperation could strengthen the protection and safety of navigation between the two countries, particularly in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2016
