Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Five small islands in Indonesia will be developed into integrated marine and fishery areas, head of research and development agency at the ministry of maritime affairs and fisheries Achmad Poernomo said here Thursday.
"The ministry is developing 24 marine and fishery techno parks in small islands. They will be developed into integrated marine and fishery areas," he added.
According to him, the five areas are located in Natuna district (Riau Islands province), Simeleu district (Aceh province), Sangihe Islands district (North Sulawesi province), West Maluku Tenggara district (Maluku province), and Merauke district (Papua province).
Achmad said the ministry has prepared Rp17 billion in funds, or about US$1,2 million to develop the islands into integrated marine and fishery areas.
The construction and development of the areas will involve universities, research and development agencies, business and industry sectors as well as training centers. "The techno parks are expected to be a center of innovation that transforms knowledge into technology with economy value," Achmad said.
He hoped the innovation center can improve the Indonesian business's and industry's competitiveness in the global market. "Therefore, the community's welfare and local economy will be improved and so will be the national economic growth," Achmad said. (WDY)
