REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, PADANG -- The association of the country's local governments of coastal areas along the Indian Ocean held the second working meeting of the Indonesia-Indian Ocean Local Government Forum (Indonesia-IOLGF) in Padang, West Sumatra, to discuss regional development.

"This working meeting reflects our seriousness to bring about changes in Indonesia's regions along the coast of the Indian Ocean," Deputy Mayor of Padang city Emzalmi stated here while opening the meeting on Thursday.

Emzalmi revealed that the meeting also discussed the latest developments in each Indonesian region along the coast of the Indian Ocean.

Some 70 delegates participating in the meeting would deliver the latest updates on each region's development.

Emzalmi cited the example of the cement exports by PT Semen Padang to Mauritius, which were still under negotiation, although the company had begun exporting cement to Yemen for the first time.

"The mitigation issue is also being discussed at the working meeting of the forum," he remarked.

The discussion on mitigation prioritized the management of disasters, such as tsunamis, which had become the biggest threat to the regions along the coast of the Indian Ocean.

In addition, the development of the tourism sector in each Indonesian region along the coast of the Indian Ocean was discussed during the meeting.

"I hope this meeting will produce several agreements and solutions to resolve problems in Indonesia's coastal areas along the Indian Ocean," he affirmed.

West Sumatra's maritime historian, Gusti Asnan, has assessed that the IOLGF can strengthen Padang's position in the maritime sector both at the national and international level.

Asnan pointed out that Padang's residents had expertise in the maritime sector as the city had become one of the famous maritime towns in Indonesia.

The first working meeting of Indonesia-IOLGF was held in Padang city in 2015.

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