SAIL BANDA TO BRING IMMEDIATE ADVANTAGES FOR LOCALS

Ambon, Maluku, April 17 (ANTARA) - Sail Banda central committee secretary Aji Soelaso said the international marine event will bring immediate advantages for the people of Maluku.

"The Sail Banda activities will take place in Ambon city, Banda in Central Maluku district, and Wonreli Kisar in Southwest Maluku (MBD) district, but they will have a direct and positive impact on Maluku people's welfare," Aji Soelarso said here on Saturday.

He said various strategic programs would also be organized in nine districts and two cities as part of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010.

In Ambon to attend the official launching of Sail Banda, Soelarso said the event would bring short-term as well as long-term advantages for people in the province.

"Based on President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono's decision, Sail Banda will be conducted in a bid to speed up development in Maluku through the exploitation of the province's abundant marine biological resources," Soelarso said.

The international marine event will also convince the international community that Maluku province, which was torn by a three-year communal conflict from 1999-2001, is now safe and peaceful for both domestic and foreign tourists to visit.

"Investors, tourists, and other visitors are welcome in Maluku because the local government will give them the best possible service and facilities," Soelarso said.

He expressed optimism that after Sail Banda 2010, tourism and investment development would flourish in Maluku.

Meanwhile, Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu also shared Soelarso's opinion, saying that the event would be of great advantage to the people of Maluku.

"This international marine event will give an immense contribution to various social aspects of the life of people of Maluku and Indonesia in general," Ralahalu said on the sidelines of the launch of Sail Banda by Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad.

According to Governor Ralahalu, the international marine event will be a stepping stone to accelerate the pace of social and economic development in the province.

"The acceleration of development in Maluku is laid down in the regional medum-term development plan 2011-2013 to build a prosperous, harmonious, religious, and self-reliant province," Governor Ralahalu said.