South Sulawesi Acting Governor Andi Sudirman Sulaiman affirmed that the meeting with Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Penny Williams focused on intensifying bilateral collaboration between the two parties.
During the meeting on October 31, Sulaiman introduced various areas of potential of the province that has 24 districts and cities with 3,047 villages.
These areas of potential cover livestock, agriculture, tourism, fisheries and marine affairs, education, and human resources. He also introduced the investment support for the developmet of infrastructure, such as the Sultan Hasanuddin International Airport and Makassar New Port.
“The meeting aimed at strengthening the collaboration established so far. It also opens up other collaboration opportunities,” Sulaiman noted in his statement, Monday.
During the meeting, both parties discussed their long-term commitment to health sustainability and economic recovery and stability in South Sulawesi.
Regarding support for COVID-19-related handling and recovery, both parties will come up with a world-class vocational education system and expertise with the smart city technology. Australia will provide skills-based training and digital solutions to increase productivity.
The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) and the catalytic economic cooperation program will pave the way for further economic partnerships between Australia and South Sulawesi.
Furthermore, educational leaders from South Sulawesi will also meet with the Australian ambassador during her visit. This meeting will reaffirm Australia’s commitment to innovative research and evidence-based policy-making in South Sulawesi.
Meanwhile, Ambassador Penny Williams admitted to being glad to visit South Sulawesi.
This visit marks her first trip to South Sulawesi to meet with regional heads, business leaders, education leaders, and the public.
“I am very happy to undertake my first official visit to South Sulawesi today. This is also to learn about the close relationship between South Sulawesi and Australia,” Williams stated.
According to Williams, Australia has deep relations with South Sulawesi, including business relationships, and research collaborations.
This includes the Partnership for Australia Indonesia Research (PAIR), Knowledge Sector Initiative (KSI), and the Revitalizing Informal Settlements and their Environments (RISE) programs, as well as the Climate Risk Resilience Digital Platform (CSIRO).
At this meeting, Sulaiman handed over souvenirs from South Sulawesi comprising silk and processed seaweed products, to Ambassador Williams.
Source: Antara News