Jakarta - The North Sulawesi provincial administration is currently staging an exhibition of local products to boost small-scale industries and tourism in the province.
North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang said Saturday the 2007 Sulut Expo, being held at the Semanggi Expo center in Jakarta, was aimed at drawing foreign investment into the business sector in North Sulawesi.
"Through the event we want to exhibit another part of Indonesia -- one that is culturally, socially and geographically rich," he said.
"And Jakarta, as the country‘s business and cultural center, is the perfect place to display the region‘s potential."
Agencies from nine regencies and three municipalities in North Sulawesi and a number of private firms are taking part in the event, which will run until Wednesday.
Sarundajang said the expo was a warm-up for the upcoming World Ocean Conference to be held in the provincial capital Manado in September 2009.
Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Freddy Numberi, who officially opened the expo, said North Sulawesi was located in a strategic part of the Pacific Ocean between mainland Asia and Australia.
He said the province was rich in maritime commodities, which until now have not been well utilized.
"This sector needs attention now as dangers such as global warming and industrial waste pollution are threatening the ocean‘s biodiversity," Freddy said.
"This event is a great introduction to the World Ocean Conference, which will demonstrate ways the ocean can also play its part in saving the world from the affects of global warming."
The World Ocean Conference is an international meeting that brings together representatives from countries with coastal and marine territories. Participants will discuss global ocean issues, including the degradation of marine resources, global climate change, ocean pollution and development in coastal communities.
Last month Manado hosted the East Asian Partnership Council meeting, which involved 11 East Asian countries and various international and local non-governmental organizations. Global warming and marine-related issues were among topics of discussion.
Freddy said a large number of people are yet to understand the importance and potential of coral reefs. Like trees, coral reefs can absorb carbon dioxide (CO2), a pollutant that causes global warming.
Freddy also praised the central government‘s move to name Bitung in North Sulawesi as a World Tuna Center. This initiative is expected to generate a great deal of business for local fishermen.
Source: www.thejakartapost.com (4 September 2007)