"I believe the potential of South Kalimantan is big enough, it is only to develop creativity."
Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan (ANTARA News) - The administration of South Kalimantan province is ready to develop cooperative relations with Switzerland, especially in investment and exports - imports, South Kalimantan Governor Rudy Ariffin said here Wednesday.

He said the mutually beneficial cooperation between Switzerland and South Kalimantan was quite possible l because the province was rich in natural resources.

Moreover, the relations between Indonesia and Switzerland were also quite strong, both in the economic and governmental relations.

"We want to take part in these good relations," Rudy said.

According to him, several things that can be offered in cooperation between South Kalimantan and Switzerland, among others, were agriculture, mining, plantations, fishery and small-scale industries.

These sectors were very potential for cooperation between the two regions, especially as Switzerland is a country that has a large enough economic capability, Rudy said.

"We can not yet convey the concept of partnership is like, but we will explore," he said.

But certainly, if there is an investment that will come in, the provincial administration wants the goods industry investment, Rudy added.

For example, coal that had been sent only to meet the needs of power plants is expected to be processed into industries that more liquid or high value.

Meanwhile, the Minister Counselor of Indonesia Embassy to Bern for Economic Function, Taufiq Rodhy, said, South Kalimantan has a great potential to be sold to Switzerland, especially its agriculture and handicrafts as well as mining and plantations.

"I believe the potential of South Kalimantan is big enough, it is only to develop creativity," he said.

Besides, one thing should get attention is Switzerland is a country that is very concerned and serious in environmental problems.

So that, every item that comes into the country, the government will explore how the management process including the company`s attention to the environment, Taufiq noted.
(Uu.KR-LWA/HAJM/O001)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011