"The blue economy concept has become a global trend which is very promising for Indonesia, in general, and North Sulawesi, in particular, because the province has extensive ocean areas," Kansil noted.
Therefore, he said the North Sulawesi provincial administration will, in the future, attempt to make the sea the basis for development of a blue economy.
According to Kansil, Indonesia is the world`s largest archipelago, with seas making up two-thirds of its territory, but in seeking to develop its economy the country has relied more on onshore natural resources.
He noted that North Sulawesi, made up of 226 islands, is one of the seven island provinces with an aquatic area of 451,481 square kilometers.
"With this kind of potential, the marine and fisheries sector will become the driving force for development in North Sulawesi, which has both abundant natural and marine resources," he said.
Further, the North Sulawesi deputy governor added that with a very strategic location at the edge of the Pacific Ocean, the province
deserves to be the gateway for Indonesia into the center of world economic markets.
In an effort to support the blue economy concept, Kansil said the North Sulawesi provincial administration has set a strategic plan as a guideline for the management of marine resources.
(EDITED BY INE)
(KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2013
