Makassar (ANTARA) – Indonesia and Netherlands have moved to strengthen their bilateral ties through an establishment of a Dutch honorary consulate in Makassar, South Sulawesi, marking a new chapter in cooperation across Indonesia’s eastern regions.
Dutch Honorary Consul for Sulawesi, Osco Olfriady Letunggamu, said the newly inaugurated consulate would play an active role in deepening its relationship by promoting the strengths of Sulawesi regions across various sectors.
“In the economic sphere, the focus will be on agriculture, energy, maritime affairs, and water,” Letunggamu said in a statement cited here on Friday.
He also highlighted plans for cooperation in higher education and cultural activities to bolster people-to-people connections.
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Deputy Head of Mission at the Kingdom of the Netherlands Embassy in Indonesia, Adriaan Palm, directly inaugurated the honorary consulate in Makassar on Tuesday (August 18).
Palm pointed out the Netherlands has identified three priorities for its mission in Makassar, to wit the economy, culture, and people-to-people ties.
He also announced plans to gradually introduce a visa-at-your-doorstep service in Makassar, allowing Sulawesi residents to apply for Dutch visas without traveling to Jakarta, Bali, or Surabaya.
The envoy further highlighted the European Union-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, describing it as a strong foundation for expanding bilateral trade and investment. Palm added the Netherlands is currently Indonesia’s eighth-largest investor.
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Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Makassar Aliyah Mustika Ilham expressed hope the newly established Dutch consulate would create broader opportunities for cooperation in the economy, education, culture, tourism, and other sectors.
She emphasised the consulate office is strategically positioned to strengthen bilateral ties, given Makassar’s role as the gateway to eastern Indonesia.
“The Makassar municipal government welcomes the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for Sulawesi. We hope this office will help strengthen ties and open up cooperation opportunities for the benefit of our people,” she stated.
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Translator: Nur Sahra, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Fransiska Ninditya
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