IO – The Ambassadors of Japan to Indonesia HE Masafumi Ishii and the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to the Republic of Indonesia HE Xiao Qian paid a visit to the Indonesian Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries in order to establish closer relations between the two countries, the Republic of Japan and Indonesia, and the People’s Republic of China to Indonesia, on Thursday, October 31, 2019.Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Edhy Prabowo received the ambassadors’ work visit in his office at the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Jl. Medan Merdeka Timur Jakarta.
HE Masafumi Ishi and HE Edhy Prabowo discussed the continuation of cooperation between Indonesia and Japan in the field of maritime affairs and fisheries, going forward. HE Masafumi Ishii pointed out that Indonesia and Japan are archipelagic countries that have a consistent strategy in their management, including in the development of the marine and fisheries sector through a number of projects jointly worked on.
Minister Edhy said that Indonesia and Japan have a fairly good history of partnership, including in the marine and fisheries sector. Japan is even seen as an ‘elder brother’ who has provided many valuable lessons for the people of Indonesia. Therefore, Minister Edhy assessed that this relationship needs to be maintained properly by continuing cooperation based on mutual friendship. “We hope this relationship will continue to strengthen and run smoothly,” he said.
HE Xiao Qian revealed that Indonesia and China have the opportunity to improve cooperation through the fishery export-import, which currently has an annual import value of 200,000 tons from China’s total imports of 4 million tons. “Indonesia has an extraordinary opportunity if maritime and fisheries cooperation can be optimized,” he said
In response, Minister Edhy welcomed the proposal and will work to make it happen. He added, “China is one of the countries that has the technology and knowledge to prevent the spread of shrimp disease. We need to learn from your country. Every collaboration carried out with other countries must create jobs and also generate foreign exchange” (ohw)