Banyuwangi (ANTARA) - Russian Ambassador Sergei Gennadievich Tolchenov visited Banyuwangi District in East Java to explore potential cooperation between Russia and the local government, officials said on Friday.

In a written statement, Tolchenov said Russia sees broad opportunities to work with Banyuwangi, identifying tourism, agriculture and the maritime sector as areas with strong prospects for collaboration.

He added that his discussions with Banyuwangi Regent Ipuk Fiestiandani were constructive, allowing both sides to review possible joint initiatives that could link the district with Russian partners.

Tolchenov noted that Banyuwangi’s diverse tourism assets give it strong potential to attract international visitors.

He said Russia is prepared to support cooperation in tourism development and encouraged the district to promote its destinations more actively to Russian travellers.

Beyond tourism, the ambassador said Russia is also interested in agricultural commodities, including cocoa, and sees room for investment tied to Banyuwangi’s maritime resources.

He said Moscow hopes to see steady progress across these areas of cooperation.

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Banyuwangi District Head Ipuk Fiestiandani welcomed the ambassador’s visit, describing it as an honour for the district and a sign of growing ties between Russia and Indonesia, particularly at the regional level.

She said Banyuwangi is open to partnerships with Russia, adding that international cooperation can strengthen diplomacy while creating opportunities in the economy, education, culture and technology.

Fiestiandani said the district promotes tourism through an ecotourism approach designed to offer visitors a calm, nature-focused experience away from urban centres — an appeal she believes suits international travellers seeking natural landscapes and a quieter atmosphere.

She added that Banyuwangi also sees potential in developing industries linked to marine science and technology.

Fiestiandani expressed hope that future cooperation will be mutually beneficial and help build long-term ties between Banyuwangi and Russian partners.

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Translator: Novi H, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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