His visit this time was to follow up a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between MMAF and State Ocean Administration (SOA) which had been signed between these both Minister of Marine Affairs in Beijing last year on March for RMB 1 billion (180 million dollars). Sharif said, as a follow-up of the memorandum of understanding (MoU), a number of stations will be built in five location including Natuna Island in Riau Islands, Perancak Bali, Morotai Island in North Maluku and two areas in eastern Indonesia. The construction of these stations is part of an agreement from Indonesia-China Center for Ocean and Climate (ICCOC) to overcome the rising of sea surface as a result of climate change. ICCOC has six main tasks, including to improve the communication between scientists in both countries, exchange the information and data, organize the symposium and as such, publication of scientific journal and research reports, arrange the equipment and ships, as well as develop the human resources capability." This cooperation is conducted in order to implement the blue economy sector which has agreed earlier in Beijing," he said at a press conference in MMAF Office in Jakarta.
Sharif said, the potential of marine in the future has a bright prospect. For this reason, Sharif expressed his interest of the blue economy concept which has implemented in RRC so that the blue economy concept will be continued as a program in MMAF. In addition, Sharif also explained on the development of education cooperation. He said RRC provides scholarships for Master and doctorate degree in marine sector. Meanwhile, in ocenography research sector, the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (MMAF) will obtain aid for research vessel which can examine to the deep sea.
Meanwhile, the Ambassador of RRC Liu Jianchao said the bilateral cooperation between these two countries in marine and fisheries sectors can be beneficial to both parties, especially for community. Liu further explained that this cooperation includes the development in Natural Resources, science, marine and fisheries technology sectors. As a result, both countries will work together to strenghten and realize mutual profitable of economic development. According to him, Indonesia has sea area larger than its mainland, so the blue economy concept is appropriate with the geographical conditions in Indonesia. "Therefore, the RRC will support and become a strategic partner for Indonesia," he said.
The concept of "Blue Economy" which has agreed is marine-based economic development related to sustainable management and conserving marine resources, particularly regarding to food security, climate change, eradication of illegal fishing (IUU Fishing), cooperation in research and development sectors as well as increasing the awareness of marine issues.
For more information, please contact Indra Sakti, SE, MM, Head of Data, Statistic and Information Center, Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries (Mobile: 0818159705)
Reporter: Okta
Editor: PR Wire
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