Eradicating illegal fishing in Indonesian waters and developing a tsunami warning system were among the subjects Indonesia and Thailand discussed during Thai Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Panich Vikitsreth’s two-day visit to Indonesia’s Aceh province last week.
Vikitsreth met with Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf, as both parties look to cement a stronger business relationship.
“The Thai government will continue to provide technical support and exchange technology in agriculture, fisheries and other sectors to improve the lives of the Aceh people,” said Vikitsreth.
The waters off Aceh are one of Southeast Asia’s most productive fishing grounds, so Thailand is working to ensure its fishermen operate lawfully there. The meeting, which was held behind closed doors, comes soon after Indonesia’s government passed a law allowing authorities to sink vessels fishing illegally in its waters.
“We have discussed with the Aceh governor the rules and regulations and how Thai fishermen fishing in Indonesian waters can comply with the law,” said Vikitsreth.
Cooperation between Thailand and Indonesia would also extend to seafood processing and storage technology. Thailand’s fishing industry is more technologically advanced than Indonesia’s, and Thailand’s government is willing to offer training to Indonesian fishermen.
