CENTRAL GOVT SUPPORTS AMBON'S WFC CONCEPT : MINISTER

Ambon, Maluku, April 17 (ANTARA) - The central government fully supports the Ambon Water Front City (WFC) concept developed by the city's administration, a minister said.

"The Ambon Water Front City concept has the full support of the central government because it is a brilliant breakthrough by the Ambon city administration in developing the marine and coastal area of the world's most densely populated city," Maritime and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said here on Friday night.

Fadel made the statement after officially launching the international event of Sail Banda 2010.

He said the WFC concept was part of the Ambon city administration's efforts to make its sea and coastal area a develpmental hub for the local people's welfare.

"I, for one, fully support the brilliant concept and therefore I will report it to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono," Fadel Muhammad said.

The minister said he would hold a meeting with other related ministers to discuss the possibility of supporting the Ambon city's WFC program with funds from the central government as it would become an example to other regional administrations in the country.

"The Ambon Water Front City program needs initial funds from the central government through the related ministries before its further development is offered to foreign investors," Fadel said.

Fadel added that he would also encourage other related ministries to cooperate with the Ambon city administration to make the Ambon WFC program the spearhead of coastal area development management for the people's welfare in the future.

Meanwhile, Ambon Mayor Jopi Papilaya said the city administration was cooperating with a consultant of Makassar origin in drawing up the Ambon Water Front City master plan.

Papilaya said the Ambon Water Front City concept had evolved from the city administration's search for a solution to the increasing lack of space in the city as a consequence of economic and population growth.