"According to them, minimally 24 companies have invested in Indonesia and operated 224 ships."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia and China plan to resume cooperation in the field of fisheries following the expiration of the agreement in 2007, a fishery and marine resource ministry official said.
The official, the director general of capture fishery, Marwoto, said here on Wednesday negotiations had been started by the two countries` delegations some time ago.
"The cooperation deal being discussed some time ago is about fishery as cooperation agreement in the maritime field has been signed by the Indonesian president during his recent visit to China," he said.
He said the cooperation covers not only survey implementation but also investment, capture fishing, processing as well as other fishery industries including culture fishery.
On allegations that the cooperation is based on a barter the director general said that it was not true.
He said China has various kinds of superiority including financial liquidity and advanced technology including ship technology.
"According to them, minimally 24 companies have invested in Indonesia and operated 224 ships," he said.
Marwoto said China has offered partnership in the field of fishery fully from initially only in the field of culture.
He said all points in the agreement have been agreed by the two sides and they would soon be followed up by the final drafting of the agreement to be discussed in September so that it could be signed by the end of 2012.
Under the cooperation agreement in the maritime field signed by the minister of fisheries and marine resources China would help with US$1.4 billion for monitoring and surveying the sea conditions in Indonesia including the development of their stations.
The monitoring especially in South China Sea is aimed at reducing and overcoming illegal fishing activities in the area, he said.
"China will conduct closer monitoring and all Chinese ships in operation are monitored by the Chinese government through an association so the Chinese government knows well how many ships operating in Indonesia," he said.
On the regulation of the ministry of fisheries and marine resources number 1449 stipulating that investment must use new ships Marwoto said it has been agreed the new ships to be used would come from China.
(Uu.H-YH/O001)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2012
