RI-Germany To Develop Poteran-Maratua Islands

RI-GERMANY TO DEVELOP POTERAN-MARATUA ISLANDS Kategori: National News (NAT) 13:31 Kamis, 14 November 2013 Surabaya, Nov 14 (Antara) - The Indonesian government and Germany`s Hochscule Wismar University of Applied Science are working together to develop Poteran Island of Sumenep, East Java, and Maratua Island of Berau, East Kalimantan. Eko Budi Jatmiko, the Dean of Marine Technology Faculty of Surabaya Institute of Technology (ITS), said on Thursday that the Marine and Fishery Ministry (KKP) had appointed ITS to adopt the Poteran and Maratua Islands. A team from ITS and the Hochscule Wismar University discussed the various methods of taking this forward at the Sustainable Island Development Initiatives (SIDI) Week 2013, which was held from November 13 to 14. The two teams will visit the islands between November 15 and 17. "The cooperation between ITS and Germany is a follow-up of an agreement signed in 2012," Jatmiko said. Only four universities will take part in the adoption plan. They are ITS, Bogor Institute of Agriculture, Hasanudin University, and University of Indonesia, said Jatmiko who was reading from a written statement by Sudirman Saad, Director General of Marine, Coastal Areas, and Small Islands of KKP. The focus of development will be different for both islands. "Poteran Island will be a place for research on tropical herbal extracts that will be used in medical products, food, or cosmetics. Research on Maratua Island will focus on developing the island`s tourism potential without neglecting the environmental or social aspects of the surroundings," Jatmiko said. Maratua is an outer island in the Sulawesi Sea near the Indonesia-Malaysia border. It is famous among professional divers for its beautiful white-sand beach and underwater ecosystem. The "paradise" so charmed Prince William of the United Kingdom that he vacationed on the upside-down U-shaped island. "Small islands in Indonesia actually have tremendous natural potential. Moreover, their strategic location makes us feel responsible for them," Jatmiko stated.