Along with that, the event was appropriate as effective and efficient means in the world of marine and fisheries to accelerate the growth pace of marine tourism. The participation of Indonesia in this event aimed to raise marine issues to the international stage as well as in an effort to strengthen the capacity of Indonesia as a nation that can not be separated from the existing natural resources, particularly its marine resources. This event will be held for three months, from May 12th to August 12th on the theme of "Wonderful Indonesia : Sustaining Tropical Diversity".
On that occasion, Indonesia reiterated its commitment to new policy of national economic development, which is blue economy. Blue economy is a different policy with more green economy which emphasizes the aspects of environment. In blue economy, marine resources which processed will be optimally used as a mainstream of national economy development. In blue economy, it needs innovation, technology, and knowledge so that this sector will increase job opportunities for people. There are three integrated pillars which should run in blue economy, including ecosystems, economic and your social connection.
In an effort to accelerate the development of marine, one way is by attracting foreign investors to invest in marine tourism sector. Not only that, through the participation of Indonesia in this world-scale exhibition will strengthen the role of marine political policy in Indonesia. In addition, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries stated the importance of participation from Indonesia to raise the conservation of marine resources and marine technology development.
In this first mega event in the world, the Government of Indonesia will create it in an interesting and unique event. To animate that bridge, it will be equipped with D-MAX theater which has 150 seats capacity and show several films about rich marine biodiversity in Indonesia. So that the visitors can enjoy the visual audio experience of Indonesia as a maritime country and the largest island in the world which on track in strategic waters border of Asia Pacific region. Meanwhile, various activities in Indonesian pavilion will be adjusted to 2012 Yeosu Expo vision. In this activity, Indonesian Pavillion to this day has been visited by 28 thousand people since its opening on May 12th 2012 or the average of visitors were 3-4 thousand people per day. Indonesia was targetted to 300 thousand people will visit to the pavilion during the exhibition.
The international-scale exhibition which was expected to accomodate over 8 millions of visitors, followed by more than 130 countries. The purpose of this exhibition is to invite people in building good relationship with the whole ocean and its ecosystem. So the international exhibition is very potential to product market in Indonesia which has comparative advantages compared to other countries. It is appropriate to say this event as a window to Indonesia which has known as having the potential of rich and diverse of marine and fisheries resources, to enhance the marketing of marine and fisheries superior products which produced from marine and fisheries sector.
As it is known as typical of the Indonesian Pavillion, Indonesia will choose ancient fish of Coelacanth to become a mascot. Coecalanth is known as the king of ocean fish species listed in protected species on CITES Appendix 1. The ocean king fish, supposed to be extincted since 80 years ago which was founded near Malalayang Beach in Manado, North Sulawesi. The mascot was chosen in order to introduce the beauty of sea nature, the ocean and its wealth of cultural diversity and heritage traditions.
This international-scale exhibition can also be as an access to market information, technology, and capital so that Indonesia will be able to fulfill the needs of market particularly in global market. In addition, the Government of Indonesia will collaborate through research institution in Indonesia with international experts which allows to technology transfer and national consolidation, to develop the capacity and expertise in marine sector throughout the countries. Indonesia also expects after this event, the marine cooperation between Indonesia and international world, particularly South Korea will increase," said Fauzi.
In addition, 2012 Yeosu Expo in South Korea are expected to create Yeosu Declaration along with the international community as form of confirmation to the collective agreement for sustainable growth. Indonesia has a position as producers of fisheries as well as the world's consumers of fishery products. The position of Indonesia as the major consumer countries, with a current population of approximately 240 million people, is a potential market for various products in the world, including fishery products. Therefore, quality assurance and added-value products improvement became one of the keys to win the competition in this global trade era. The national fishery products should have good and similar quality, as well as these products should be available on regular basis, continously and massal.
As we all know that Indonesia has the most complex coastal in the world, ranging from geology, oceanography, to rich biodiversity. Therefore, participation of Indonesia in this event is potential as a place to exchange the information and technologies on marine technology for more sophisticated future and environment-friendly. Along with that, Indonesia has the opportunity to sell superior products. Therefore, this event should be a golden opportunity.
The exhibition can also be a strategic media to build the positive image for Indonesia as well as to support the sustainable marine sector and coastal in the world. 2012 Yeosu Expo has built the Indonesian Pavillion on Pacific Block to exhibit diverse sides and marine development of Indonesia as the largest archipelagic country in the world. In addition to the rich of marine and fisheries, Indonesia is rich in 500 diverse ethnic who speak 730 languages, this cultural uniqueness become the appeal and identity of Indonesia in world stage.
Keep in mind, 2012 Yeosu Expo Korea which has three visions, Ocean Conservation Vision, Green Growth Vision and International Cooperation Vision. The exhibition which will be held in plain area of 2.71 million square meters (670 acres) from southern port city in the Land of the Ginseng (Korea), there are about 400 performances of more than 8 thousand times during the exhibition period for 93 days, which means at least 100 performances will be presented every day. Furthermore, the exhibition is a means of effective communication with prospective international buyers. This exhibition enable participants to enter global market to make trade contact with potential buyers.
Meanwhile, Korean government targetted the income from 2012 Korea Yeosu Expo reached US$12.2 trillion and from national production of Korea reached US$5.7 trillion. In addition, the mascot which has been chosen are Yeony and Sunny. Yeo means Beautiful and Su means water. This mascot is a form of life from plankton as a primary food source in the ocean. Yeony blue symbolizes the sea water and red Sunny symbolizes the organisms that live in the sea.
Indonesian Day in 2012 Yeosu Expo, used as a momentum for resurrection of oceanic in Indonesia. In this event, has attended by Inspector General of MMAF, Andha Fauzie Miraza representing the Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, also attended the Indonesian Ambassador to Korea, Nicholas Tandi Damen; Commissioner Expo 2012 Yeosu, Lee Joon-hee; Governor of Jeollanam-do, Joon-yung, and representatives from participating countries of 2012 Yeosu Expo.
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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