Batam (ANTARA) - The governments of Riau Islands, Central Java, Lampung, and North Maluku initiated a provincial-level collaboration to bolster local production and achieve global market potential.
The initiative was inked between Riau Islands Governor Ansar Ahmad, Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi, North Maluku Governor Sherly Tjoanda, and Lampung Governor Rahmat Mirzani Djausal at a ceremony in Batam City on Saturday (June 14).
According to Governor Ahmad in his written remarks, on Sunday, the collaboration was inspired by the Magelang retreat for regional leaders initiated by President Prabowo Subianto and consistent with a Home Ministry Regulation on inter-regional cooperation.
"We found each of our regions has potentials and advantages that open new collaboration opportunities," Ahmad stated.
The governor said that he offered Batam City in his province, which is geographically close to Singapore and Malaysia, to serve as an international trade hub for collaborating provinces.
"We can make Batam City a hub to expand market access and get our share in global markets," he noted.
Welcoming the collaboration, Central Java Governor Luthfi emphasized that it should involve more regions in Indonesia. He also considered meeting and inviting other governors to join the initiative.
Meanwhile, Lampung Governor Djausal highlighted his province's agriculture sector potential, which production surplus can be traded outside the province or even the international market.
North Maluku Governor Tjoanda is also glad that her province joined the initiative with the three provinces. She said that North Maluku has potential in its marine products.
The initiatives inked by the four provinces include collaboration in several sectors, namely tourism, investment and industry, co-operatives and MSMEs, food resilience, and regional-owned enterprises.
