Manado, N Sulawesi - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he would support a wish of the North Sumatra provincial administration to hold a World Ocean Summit in May 2009.

"I'll fully support the idea on the  summit and I have asked the provincial administration to make the necessary preparations," he said upon arrival at Manado's Sam Ratulangi Airport from the Philippines where he attended the 12th ASEAN Summit on Sunday.

He made the statement commenting on a report of  North Sulawesi Governor Sinyo Harry Sarundajang on ongoing preparations for the summit that is expected to be attended by tens of heads of state and government.

Sarundajang said at least 15 heads of state and government as well as officials of the United Nations and some ohter international organization will be invited to attend the event.

President Yudhoyono further said if the summit could be held and the organization was good, it would promote not only Manado and North Sulawesi but Indonesia in general as well.

He also reminded what Indonesia was currently in need of foreign exchange not not only from the exports of some commodities, and from tourism as well.

- Source : Antara News Agency, 15 January 2007