Monday, February 27, 2006
New RP-Indonesia fish pact to boost trade
THE Philippines and Indonesia signed last week a new agreement on fisheries cooperation seeking to enhance trade ties for the next five years.
Agriculture Secretary Domingo Panganiban and Indonesian Minister for Marine Affairs and Fisheries Freddy Numberi signed the memorandum of understanding.
Aside from enhancing trade, the memorandum seeks to promote cooperation in sustainable development and responsible management of fisheries in accordance with the respective laws and regulations of each country.
The agreement also aims to advance mutual consultation, exchange of technical assistance, joint research, and economic cooperation on agreed areas of fisheries.
The memorandum further seeks out cooperation on aquaculture development, post harvest, fish processing development and marketing, coastal management, marine fisheries conservation, and combating the illegal, unreported, unregulated fishing practices.
"The signing of the memorandum marks a whole new chapter in Philippine-Indonesian relations with both countries resolving to cooperate in working towards generating more employment and business opportunities, increased income to alleviate poverty, and higher economic growth for both countries through fisheries cooperation," Panganiban said.
Numberi, meanwhile, said the agreement would be beneficial to both countries as Indonesia is gearing towards economic growth through export and investment in the fisheries sector.
"Based on this new spirit of cooperation, future investment on marine and fisheries established by our neighboring countries will generate mutual benefits and the prosperity of the people of both countries," said Numberi.
Both countries signed a fisheries cooperation pact in Jakarta on November 12, 2001. This pact is set to end on November 11 this year.
The new fisheries cooperation signed last week in this city is touted as "the mother of all fisheries cooperation agreement."
Effective for five years, any party, however, has the option to terminate the memorandum of understanding by giving a six-month prior written notice.
Before the signing of the memorandum, both sides held a series of dialogues that at times became heated.
Pangananiban said the memorandum they just signed means a lot to the local tuna industry, which is an important economic contributor to the Philippine economy.
The local tuna industry employs about 100,000 workers in canneries, fishing vessels, processing plants, and other ancillary industries.
The local tuna industry's estimated value, Panganiban said, is about US$420 million. (RBS)
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(February 27, 2006 issue)
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