Jakarta, (Antara) - Indonesia's government is promoting a partnership scheme to help finance small fishermen at a working group meeting of the 2nd Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Blue Economy Ministerial Conference (BEC II) in Jakarta, May 8.
Deputy of Maritime Sovereignty at the Maritime Coordinating Ministry Arief Havas Oegroseno noted in a press release received by Antara here on Tuesday that the plan to finance fishermen has received a positive response from the IORA member countries.
The plan to help small-scale fishermen has not been implemented in several countries, such as South Africa, Oman, Mozambique, and Madagascar.
"Hence, partnership between a private company and small-scale fishermen can be a solution. The partnership will allow a private company to obtain funds from the bank to help fishermen through a cooperative scheme," he elaborated.
Oegroseno explained that small-scale fishermen have been offered the required help through the steps taken by Bank Rakyat Indonesia by offering credit to them worth Rp14 trillion, in which an individual will receive US$2,500.
Furthermore, Havas noted that at this time, the issue of preserving coral reefs has become a key concern for regional countries.
Hence, representatives from the Coral Triangle Initiative on Coral Reefs, Fisheries, and Food Security also participated in the meeting during which they shared Indonesia's experiences in coral reef restoration.
"Several reefs in the Indian Ocean countries are damaged, so we offer to conduct their restoration," Oegroseno remarked, adding that marine tourism, especially seaport network, was also discussed at the event.
"Our goal is to be able to establish communication and build a network among ports, so we can expand the export markets," Oegroseno pointed out.
Meanwhile, IORA's Secretary General K.V. Bhagirath expressed optimism that the 2nd IORA BEC II Forum would be able to formulate programs apart from serving as a platform to exchange experiences.
"The Indian Ocean region has huge potential that can be developed, however we have not done much," he emphasized.
According to Bhagirath, after this meeting, another will be held in July in Indonesia.
The BEC II is being held in Jakarta on May 8-10, 2017.(*)
