Besides promoting infrastructure development, the delegates has also encouraged cooperation with Dutch investors in water management and renewable energy sector.
Present at the meeting, called the Maluku Infrastructure Forum, were some Dutch investors in the water management and renewable energy, representatives from the Ministry of Infrastructure and Environment, the Netherlands Water Partnership, and various other related institutions in the country.
On the occasion, Ambon Mayor Richard Louhannapessy signed two Letters of Intent (LoI) on the cooperation in energy saving and storage and development of renewable energy among the city of Ambon, Nextra Technologies, and Engeldot International BV.
Indonesian Ambassador to the Netherlands, I Gusti Agung Wesaka Puja, stated that the two LoIs represented cooperation to support Malukus economic development plan.
According to him, infrastructure development is a priority of the Indonesian government, particularly in the eastern region, including the province of Maluku.
"I hope this forum will lead to increased cooperation in infrastructure development to promote economic growth and equitable development in eastern Indonesia", Gusti remarked.
Other infrastructure projects being promoted in the Maluku Infrastructure Forum were water supply infrastructure, flood mitigation, sea port infrastructure, integrated fisheries, and the development of Ambon Waterfront City.
Ambon is worth developing into a waterfront city because it is a coastal city which is surrounded not only by beautiful beaches but also by beautiful mountains and a fantastic bay.
In addition to conducting business forums, the delegates from Maluku will also host a cultural night on Sept 2, 2017, in the town of Barneveld, the Netherlands, to promote local art, culture, and tourism.
The cultural night in Barneveld is also in line with Ambon city government efforts to introduce the city of Ambon not only as a waterfront city but also as a city of music.
Hence, a music conference, scheduled to be held from Oct 9 to 12, 2017, in Ambon, is considered an important event to lead the center of Maluku provincial administration to an international city of music.
The conference is expected to formulate music in Indonesia, as well as an effort to realize Ambon as a world music city.
Louhenapessy has remarked that the conference will be attended by leading musicians who will discuss musical topics in Indonesia. The event is expected to be utilized to realize Ambon as an international city of music.
In the effort to make Ambon an international city of music, Louhenapessy stated that his party and the Indonesian Creative Economy Agency (BeKraf) team of consultant had prepared an action plan after going through several stages of consultation and discussion with stakeholders, community of musicians and artistes in the city of Ambon, as well as art business actors.
The mayor of Ambon explained that the action plan is divided into five pillars, namely musicians and communities, infrastructure, learning process, industrial development, and socio-cultural values.
"We hope the music conference and the action plan can be supported by various parties, so that the efforts to realize Ambon as a world music city can run well," Louhenapessy asserted in Ambon recently.
This music conference will precede an international Acapella Festival, or "Acapella in the City," from Oct 26 to 28 in the city of Ambon.
Local Culture and Tourism Office Chief Henry Sopacua has noted that the Acapella in the City is an international festival being held as part of the efforts to realize Ambon as a world city of music.
"The Acapella in the City is an annual tourism agenda in 2017 in the form of a musical art show called the International Acapella Festival," Sopacua remarked.
According to Sopacua, the unique feature of the musical event this year is that it will be held on a beach to attract local and foreign tourists to visit Ambon.
The Maluku provincial city of Ambon is well-known as the hub of Indonesias most popular singers, and hence, it is called the city of music.
Sopacua noted that so far, two countries, including Germany and the Philippines, have confirmed their participation at the International Acapella Festival in Ambon.
"Several other countries are expected to take part in the festival as the free-of-charge registration is still open until mid-Oct," the Ambon Culture and Tourism Office chief remarked.
He believes that the festival is a form of the local governments commitment to make Ambon an international city of music in Indonesia.
Since Ambon was declared as the city of music, various efforts have been undertaken to encourage the local musicians to create even better artwork.
Music is a unifying medium, which is able to break through the barriers of differences. Hence, it holds significance in building true brotherhood and peace in Ambon and Maluku, in general.
Hence, the BeKraf is also optimistic of Ambon becoming a world city of music, according to the criteria set by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
"BeKraf, along with the relevant ministries and agencies, is ready to assist Ambon to become an international city of music," Deputy of Intellectual Property Rights at BeKraf Ari Juliano Gema had remarked in Ambon some time ago.
The UNESCO has defined seven conditions to be met by Ambon to become a world city of music, including the ability to train human resources, art performance buildings, recording studios, and music schools.
However, Gema noted that BeKraf, along with the relevant ministries and agencies, is ready to assist Ambon to make it an international city of music and is working to meet the conditions set by UNESCO.
He remarked that BeKraf is developing a road map, along with the administration city of Ambon and other institutions, to meet all requirements.(*)
Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
