RI, Brunei Strengthen Cooperation in Fishery Sector

Denpasar - The Indonesian delegation to an international fisheries conference here held a meeting with its counterpart from Brunei Darussalam on Friday to strengthen the two countries'' cooperation in the field.
The meeting was held on the sidelines of the "Regional Ministerial Meeting on Promoting Responsible Fishing Practices in the Region," attended by representatives from 12 countries, namely Australia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Philippines, Timor Leste, Singapore, Thailand, China, Brunei Darussalam, Japan and Indonesia, Sau P Hutagalung, chief information officer of the fisheries and marine resources ministry, said.
The Indonesian delegation was led by Fisheries and Marine Resources Minster Freddy Numberi while the delegation from Brunei was led by Industry and Primary Resources Minister Dr Haji Ahmad.
On the occasion, Freddy Numberi emphasized the importance of the implementation of "the Bali Plan of Action" agreed upon in Bali in 2005 at the "APEC Ocean Related Ministerial Meeting."
He also emphasized the importance of expanding the two countries'' cooperation by involving the private sectors from both countries to invest in fish catching, processing and marketing.
Numbery also said investment opportunities were wide open in the facility- and industry-related fishery development.
Dr Jahi Ahmad on the occasion appreciated the initiative Indonesia had taken with Australian support to organize the meeting to promote fishery resources especially in areas that border with other countries.
Hutagalung said during the two countries'' meeting the two ministers exchanged information about their fishery policies especially in sea fishing and fishery development.
The two ministers also agreed to increase cooperation in the field of fishery and to provide an umbrella for international cooperation in the sector. (Source: Antara060507)