BY Antara

Miss Indonesia Nadine Chandrawinata is taking part in promoting her country`s diving grounds at the Asia Dive Expo (ADEX) which takes place in Singapore from 18 to 20 April, 2008.

Nadine commented that the Indonesian exhibits at the ADEX were good as they represented a variety of diving sites rich with various kinds of marine biota including unique coral reefs and fishes.

"Indonesia already has many diving sites and now the country must be able to maintain them and the ecosystem," said Nadine who is also a film actress.

On the occasion, she also called on the people, especially fishermen who are living in areas with diving resorts to be aware of their environment and the ecosystem which have been offering great economic values.

Likewise, she was concerned that certain persons had been caught using dynamite or bombs which destroyed the ecosystem.

"Maybe it is to meet their economic needs. However, we have to be able to change their way of thinking. We should also continue campaigns for the sea in an effort to eradicate fishing using explosives," she said.

"I visit of the ADEX here is to know more about diving and likely help promote Indonesia`s diving sites," said Nadine who is a certified diver.

According to her, Indonesia has a lot of diving grounds but it should have more public relations agents to promote them as in this case (public relations) the country is still inferior to other Asian countries.

Nadine Chandrawinata who was born May 8, 1984 in Hannover, Germany was Puteri Indonesia (Miss Indonesia) 2005, and a delegate representing Indonesia in the 2006 Miss Universe Pageant.

She was the second Miss Indonesia to participate in the pageant (preceded by Artika Sari Devi) after a long hiatus in 1996.

Indonesia`s participation in the ADEX 2008 is part of efforts to promote Visit Indonesia Year (VIY) program abroad.

The Indonesian government launched the Visit Indonesia Year (VIY) 2008 program in December 26, 2007, and had called on all its regional administrations and embassies abroad to intensively promote the country`s tourism potentials.

From the VIY program, the Culture and Tourism Ministry had set a target of earning 6.7 billion US dollars from seven million foreign tourists expected to visit Indonesia.

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