The signing of the MoU between IDBC Australia Regional Director Astrid Vasile and Head of the Cooperation Center of the Secretariat General of Home Ministry Nelson Simanjuntak took place in Jakarta on Wednesday.
In a press release received by Antara in Jakarta on Wednesday, Astrid explained that increasing sister city cooperation between local governments in Indonesia and Australia would benefit both regions.
"In addition to bringing the population closer to two different regions, sister city encourages the growth of the tourism sector in both regions, so it can create jobs," he said.
The sister city program, according to him, can also facilitate the community of both regions to find ideal business partners and open business and investment opportunities for business people who want to explore new markets.
The MoU serves as a foundation for IDBC and the Ministry of Home Affairs to assist the region in detailing the potential for cooperation that can be beneficial for the two regions that have agreed to establish sister city cooperation.
"With the enactment of Government Regulation No. 28 of 2018 on Regional Cooperation, it is expected that local governments can work together sister city / sister province more focused under the coordination of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Home Affairs," said Nelson.
IDBC President Fify Manan, who attended the signing of the MoU, said that his side will continue to support the improvement of sister city cooperation.
"IDBC will continue to strive to facilitate the creation of more sister city relations between Indonesia and other countries because of the considerable benefits for both parties," said Fify.
IDBC has played an active role in bringing relations between Padang and Fremantle (Australia) closer by facilitating various meetings between the two mayors.
On May 3, 2017, the Mayor of Padang Mahyeldi and Fremantle Mayor Brad Pettitt signed the Letter of Intent as a marker of sister city relations that includes improvements in tourism, trade, infrastructure development, and human resource development.
Sister city / sister province is a concept of coupling two regions conducted by local governments in Indonesia with local governments abroad, which have equality of administrative areas and characteristic equations with the aim of strengthening friendship between the two regions through social contact between the population.
Besides being socially beneficial, the sister city / sister province can also help improve economic growth and regional development through trade and business relations between business people in both regions.
Cities in Indonesia that have sister city relationships include Surabaya with Liverpool, England (2018), North Sumatra with Bekes County, Hungary (2017), and Bandung with Namur, Belgium
Reported by Yashinta Difa Pramudyani
Edited by Eliswan
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/A/E002) 02-08-2018 09:54:21
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Otniel Tamindael
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
