The document provides an introduction and welcome to the seminar "The Blue Economy - Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for Food Security". It summarizes that the seafood sector in Norway, including fisheries and aquaculture, has been identified as one of three sectors with the largest potential for growth. Suppliers play an important role in developing this sector through technology, products, services, and expertise. Studies show suppliers are the main drivers of innovation and competitiveness in the Norwegian seafood industry. The seminar aims to highlight the importance of suppliers for sustainable development of fisheries and aquaculture. Innovation Norway's role is to provide global opportunities for local ideas and assist both Norwegian and Indonesian partners in following up from

1. Marin Seminar, Monday 27 November 2012
Welcome by Finn Kristian Aamodt
Your Excellency Minister and Vice Minister, Honorable Speakers, Ladies & Gentlemen
On behalf of the organizers I want to welcome you to this seminar;
“The Blue Economy - Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture for Food Security”
In Norway – the Seafood Sector including fisheries and aquaculture - has been defined as
one of three sectors with the largest potential.
In order to exploit the potential of this sector, suppliers have an important role. By
suppliers we mean suppliers of technology products, services, and competence.
Studies show that suppliers are the main drivers for development and innovation in the
Norwegian Seafood Sector. Their contribution has been, and still is, essential in
developing the sector, making it efficient and competitive in a global context.
On this background, we have decided to put the suppliers in focus in today’s seminar; - to
stress their importance in the Blue economy and in the development of sustainable
fisheries and aquaculture.
It’s not only the marine raw material that is creating value, experience and know-how that
have been acquired through many years, are incorporated in the suppliers’ products and
services.
Furthermore, the supply sector does also affect the regional development in Norway. A
modern high-tech Seafood Sector requires competent and locally placed employees.
Without an innovative and competitive supply sector, there will not be a competitive
Seafood Sector. That’s why activities on the international arena, including meetings like
this, are important. This is a forum for Norwegian companies to meet our Indonesian
partners, to present what we can offer and to learn.
Innovation Norway’s role is to give local ideas global opportunities. We are opening today
an office here in Jakarta and we will be pleased to assist you in any kind of follow up from
this seminar today – This goes for both the Norwegian and Indonesian side.
I wish you a fruitful seminar.
This first session of today’s seminar is chaired by Mr. Ole Johan Sandvær, Regional
Director, Innovation Norway and Mr. Anang Noegroho, Executive General, Ministry of
Marine Affairs and Fisheries.
Please, the floor is yours.