Morotai Expected To Be Made Special Economic Zone

Morotai, N Maluku, Sept 14 (ANTARA) - The island of Morotai in North Maluku is being prepared to become a special economic zone after the Sail Morotai 2012, which is part of an annual event in the eastern part of the country. "Morotai is expected to be made a special economic zone," Fisheries and Maritime Affairs Minister Sharif Cicip Sutardjo said after the rehearsal of the Sail Morotai 2012 at the Daruba beach on the island on Friday. Sharif said there are a lot of benefits if an area is given the special economic zone status. The area will have a special rights such as being allowed to make direct exports, he said. Therefore, he said he hopes that the Sail Morotai would contribute to promoting investment such as in improving the infrastructure on the island. He said Morotai is a model for development of maritime economy, adding the island is rich in sea resources waiting for development. Therefore, adequate facilities and infrastructure are needed to support development of the resources, he said. Good connectivity between the natural resources rich eastern part and the more developed western region of the country would save transport and logistic costs, he said. Meanwhile, Syahrin Abdurrahman, the director general of maritime and fishery resources said his office has set aside a budget of Rp200 billion for the development of infrastructure in Morotai. Syahrin said the fund is needed to build basic infrastructure such as roads, water installation and power facility. Sail Morotai 2012 is an international event launched from 12 to 15 September in the country`s northernmost island. Around 5,000 invitees are expected to attend the opening of Sail Morotai 2012 by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on 15 September 2012 on the Daruba beach of the Morotai island. The government has launched the Sail event since 2009, started with Sail Bunaken 2009, Sail Banda 2010, and Sail Wakatobi - Belitung 2011.