Makassar, S Sulawesi (ANTARA News) - The Russian government and the Makassar city government in Indonesia are exploring ways to cooperate in the fields of trade, tourism and investment.

"We came here today for further discussions on strengthening the cooperation, as already discussed," Indonesian Ambassador to the Russian Federation, Wahid Supriyadi, said in Makassar city on Friday.

He said the cooperation his country is looking for in the fields of tourism, trade and investment, is part of the sister city development program.

Supriyadi noted that Makassar city will also participate in the Indonesia Festival scheduled for August 4 to 6, 2017 in Moscow city, Russia.

"Makassar will participate in the Indonesia Festival, which will be held from August 4 to 6 in Moscow. We have come here to discuss all things related to the sister city program," he reiterated.

He informed that 90 thousand Russian citizens were expected to visit the Indonesia Festival. The festival will feature business meetings, exhibitions and Indonesian cultural performances.

He pointed out that Russia offers major market opportunities that Indonesian people can benefit from. These are being offered through the second Indonesia Festival. The Indonesian embassy to Russia in Moscow city has also invited participants from Indonesia to take part in the festival.

"We hope the festival can deliver real results when it comes to increasing Indonesian exports to Russia and increasing Russian investment in Indonesia, besides enhancing the number of Russian tourists visiting Indonesia," he stressed.

The Mayor of Makassar, Moh Ramdhan Pomanto, who received the Indonesian Ambassador to Russia and his entourage, expressed his happiness and lauded the Indonesian Embassy for implementing the Indonesia Festival. The event, he added, will allow the Makasar city to introduce its culture and culinary skills to the Russian society.

"This is a great opportunity for us to introduce various potentials of Makassar city to foreign countries. Makassar has twice been invited to organize cultural and culinary festival in Spain," he recalled.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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