REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MOROTAI ISLAND - Morotai Island in North Maluku will be the gate of Indonesia to Pacific regions, as the island becomes the host of Sail Morotai 2012. The event aimed at speeding up the development of the island, according to the Coordinating Minister of People's Welfare, Agung Laksono.

"The island is also the gate to the Pacific region -China and Taiwan in particular- related to marine cooperation," Laksono said on Thursday after observing the preparation of Sail Morotai in Morotai Island.

Morotai Island, Laksono added, was a strategic area in the Pacific region. He hopes the economy of Morotai Island will grow following the upcoming event.

At least 120 domestic and foreign sailboats will take part in sailboat competition in September. Foreign sailboats -from Darwin, Australia and Kinabalu, Malaysia- will visit some areas in Indonesia after the event.

Other events on Sail Morotai are national and international seminars, marine sports, cultural festival, and tourism promotion. The promotion is expected to obtain business contract and investment plan from domestic and foreign companies.

North Maluku Provincial Government and the Board of Sail Morotai are still preparing the event. President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is also planned to attend the event on September 15, 2012. Other high officials from Indonesian National Army and Police have gathered in Manado, North Sulawesi, since Thursday.

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