REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Indonesian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) needs to prioritize research on the region's economic potential, which has yet to be optimally explored, an academician stated.
"The Indian Ocean is the future of the world. However, much of its potential has not yet been explored due to a lack of understanding on institutional mechanisms and regional dynamism," Adriana Elisabeth, an academician of the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), noted here on Wednesday.
She made the statement while addressing the 21st meeting of the IORA in Padang, West Sumatra, on Tuesday.
According to Elisabeth, besides strengthening relations among governments in the region, the IORA also needs to involve academicians who can provide strategic inputs, including on economic cooperation.
"The IORA could, therefore, serve as a forum for promoting intellectual dialog among its members and supporting policies derived through a joint research based on scientific innovation," she emphasized.
She said the region's population, which has now reached 2.6 billion, offered a huge potential to support regional economic growth and market development in the future.
"In this case, maritime regionalism is a strategic approach to reinforce joint explorations through an academic exercise, maritime cooperation, and regional dialog," she stated.
Elisabeth said the Indonesian government fully supported the facilitation process and the exchange of technology and innovation through the establishment of a Business Innovation Center.
The IORA member countries comprise Australia, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Mauritius, Seychelles, the United Arab Comoros, Madagascar, Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, and South Africa.
Moreover, the United States, Britain, France, Egypt, China, and Japan are the dialogue partner countries.
Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Suryo Bambang Sulisto affirmed that one of Indonesia's priorities as chairperson of the IORA is to encourage business cooperation between entrepreneur circles.
"Businesses should be able to play a greater role in determining the direction and designing the future of business cooperation in the Indian Ocean region," Elisabeth emphasized.
Ikuti Whatsapp Channel Republika