"Within the next 6 days, we will begin work on construction of a fish processing plant in Dompu," Knecht said at a meeting with NTB Governor TGH M Zainul Majdi in Mataram on Monday.
Knecht who is also founder of PT Bali Seafood International presented his investment plan to the NTB governor and his staff accompanied by former marine and fisheries minister Rokhmin Dahuri MS.
The investment would be made under PT Bali Seafood International flag and be called Lesser Sunda Sustainable Fisheries Program. It would cover the territories of NTB dan East Musatenggara (NTT) provinces.
Steps to implement the program would begin in Dompu district and be followed up in East Lombok and other districts/cities in NTB and NTT.
The fish catching area would cover the seas up to 12 miles from the coastlines and the fishing boats would be five GT vessels equipped with handlines, longlines or gill nets. The fishing targets would be various fish species including tuna and carp.
PT Bali Seafood International would begin to realize its investment plan by building a fish processing plant in Dompu.
In NTB the main fish catching and processing activities would take place in Sumbawa island which would serve as a base to supply the international market. The project would ba managed jointly with the local government and people and so would its income or profits, Knecht said.
The project`s profits must be split fairly with the local government and people so that it would become a sustainable venture, Knecht said.
Therefore, Knecht asked for the NTB govenor`s and district chiefs` support for his investment plan to which the govenor promptly gave a positive response.
The govenor on the occasion directly asked the head of NTB`s maine and fisheries office, HM Ali Syhadan to take care of the official pemits or licenses needed by Knecht for his investments. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
