"One of the cooperation that will be built by both parties is the economic sector," Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini said during a meeting with Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia M.K. Sander Gurbuz here on Wednesday.
According to her, President Jokowi Widodo had earlier stated during a visit to Turkey that there would be a free trade zone area that would facilitate both countries.
Of course, the seaport in Surabaya is ready to welcome ships from Turkey. "It is more likely that trade connections between the two countries will run smoothly," Risma added.
The mayor noted that the cooperation will accelerate the distribution of goods from Turkey to Surabaya and vice versa, which is better because the distribution line does not need to stop in Singapore but directly lead to the city.
"It will cut costs and will certainly be cheaper," she asserted.
The City Administration of Surabaya and the Government of Turkey will continue to make correspondence and formulate other cooperation proposals, one of them in the field of construction.
"Construction in Turkey is extraordinary, and they are aggressively building mass rapid transportation," the mayor revealed.
Meanwhile, the Turkish Ambassador remarked that Surabaya could play an important role in the economic sector because the seaport has international standard in service and facilities.
In addition, Surabaya has cooperated its sister city with the second largest city in Turkey, Ishmir. "We can enhance cooperation in the economic field faster," he explained.
Gurbuz invited Risma to visit Turkey to explore the possibilities of deeper cooperation between Surabaya and Turkey.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
