SAIL KARIMATA EXPECTED TO BENEFIT MICRO-BUSINESSES

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 29  (Antara) - Indonesia has been organizing annual Sail Indonesia events since 2009 which have provided positive impact on the development of the country's tourism and local economic activities.        This year four provinces sharing borders with the Karimata Strait, namely  Riau Islands, Jambi, Bangka Belitung and West Kalimantan are organizing a sail event called 'Sail Karimata 2016.'    The peak event of Sail Karimata 2016 which kicked off last June will be held in North Kayong District, West Kalimantan on October 15 next month.         Learning from the positive impact in the previous years of the sailing events on the local economies, provinces involved, particularly West Kalimatan, should take advantage of this by preparing local business sectors such as small and medium-scale businesses.          Guests will come and spend money. Small businesses can sell products. This kind of positive impact has taken place in Bunaken, Raja Ampat, Wakatobi, Tomini and other  resorts that have hosted the sailing events.          In the current Sail Karimata 2016, which is the eighth of the Sail Indonesia series, West Kalimantan, as host of the peak event is preparing its small businesses to take advantage of it.

WEST KALIMANTAN GEARS UP FOR SAIL KARIMATA STRAIT 2016

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 26 (Antara) - West Kalimantan is busy making preparations for the success of the 'Sail Karimata Strait' event in the Datuk Sukadana Islet beach, North Kayong District.          The sail event has been launched since last June, involving four provinces of West Kalimantan, Riau Islands, Jambi and Bangka Belitung.   The peak event will take place in North Kayong District on October 15 next month.          West Kalimantan Governor Cornelius has assured that he will himself continuously inspect the ongoing preparations so that everything runs smoothly. The governor held a meeting on Monday in this context.          "I will keep a check on the progress. We today had a meeting to discuss the preparations," Governor Cornelius was quoted as saying by Tribunpontianak.co.id news portal on Monday.          According to the governor, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) is expected to open the peak event of Sail Karimata Strait 2016. Therefore, all relevant regional officials should ensure that everything is in place before the October 15 deadline.          The transportation arrangements and technical aspects should be as per international standards. "The president will arrive on October 15, 2016. All arrangements must be in place before that, " the governor added.

SAIL KARIMATA TO BOOST INDONESIAN TOURISM

by Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Sept 20 (Antara) - Indonesia is organizing a sail race in the Karimata Strait involving the provinces of Jambi, Riau Islands (Kepri), Bangka Belitung and West Kalimantan.         Called 'Sail Karimata,' the race has been ongoing since June and will continue until October, 2016. It is expected to attract 15,000 local and foreign tourists, and is the eighth race in the series of Sail Indonesia, which began in 2009.         The peak event of the sail race --at which the government predicts  foreign tourists will spend some US$5 to 6 million (Rp66 billion), while Indonesian tourists will spend Rp10 billion (US$740,000)-- will take place  in North Kayong District, West Kalimantan, on October 15.         Although the peak event will be held in West Kalimantan province, Sail Karimata will also help boost the economies of other provinces involved in the boating race, such as Bangka Belitung, Jambi and Riau Islands.