Jakarta (Indonesia Window) – The Indonesian and Japanese governments will enhance cooperation between Bali province and Kumamoto prefecture by making these two regions as sister provinces.

"We are working to increase the cooperation between Bali and Kumamoto in the trade and tourism cooperation, including making them sister provinces," Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Heri Akhmadi said when meeting with Kumamoto’s Governor Kabashima Ikuo on Monday (Feb. 8).

Governor Kabashima said that currently Kumamoto prefecture is collaborating with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to carry out various projects in Bali.

Kabashima hoped that the memorandum of understanding on the cooperation between Kumamoto and Bali, which officially ended in 2019, could be immediately extended by the signing of a Letter of Intent in the near future.

That step is expected to pave the way for efforts to increase cooperation between Kumamoto prefecture and Bali province to become sister provinces.

Kumamoto is the second largest city on Kyushu island with a population of around 730,000 people, while Bali has about 4.22 million people.

In the near future, the cooperation will also be boosted as Kumamoto will be the host town for the Indonesian badminton team at the upcoming Olympics.

The Indonesian team is expected to introduce more about Indonesia to Kumamoto people, and promote cooperation in the future.

On the sidelines of his visit to Kumamoto, the Indonesian Ambassador also met with the Director General of Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) of Kumamoto, Kuga Akito.

During the meeting, Ambassador Heri highlighted the importance of increasing cooperation in agriculture and fisheries. He also updated Indonesian economic policies, particularly the Omnibus Law.

The ambassador also introduced the plan to establish the Indonesia Investment Authority (INA) and the Indonesian Sovereign Wealth Fund.

Ambassador Heri specifically invited investors from Kumamoto to invest in thematic sectors such as health services and tech-park innovation center in Bali.

Reporting by Indonesia Window