Fiji, June 19, 2014 (ANTARA) -- The 2nd Pacific Islands Development Forum held in Fiji on this year was a highly valued moment for the Government of Indonesia as the President of Republic of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, was one among the keynote guests to give the speech in the Forum. This occasion was such a huge opportunity for Indonesia to enhance and strengthen the country's partnership in the marine and fishery sectors with 23 countries in Asia-Pacific region., particularly with Fiji.

Since the inception of the diplomatic relationship between Indonesia and Fiji on 1974 and the opening of Indonesian embassy in Suva, both countries have always been striving to enhance the bilateral partnership in the marine and fishery sectors given both countries have some things in common as the archipelagic countries.

The Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries of Republic of Indonesia, Sharif C. Sutardjo, conveyed that both countries have signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the partnership in marine and fishery sectors. The signing held in Westin Hotel on June 18 was witnessed by the President Yudhoyono and the Prime Minister of Fiji, Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama.

"Both countries will work closely on the development and the promotion of the marine and fishery sectors, including on development of the sustainable capture fisheries, aquaculture and the processing and the marketing of the fishery products. In addition, we also agree to prevent and eradicate the IUU Fishing practice.," said the Minister.

The Government of Indonesia has previously conducted the partnership with Fiji on the technical collaboration of the marine and fishery sectors; the training of the seaweed farming and processing on 2012; the establishment of the seaweed processing facility in Suva, Fiji; and the training of the fish chips processing technically initiated and supplied by the Government of Indonesia.

For more information, please contact:

Anang Noegroho
Head of Statistic and Data Center
The Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries
+62-21-351-9070




Editor: PR Wire
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