The West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) provincial government is ready to establish various types of collaborations in the trade and investment sectors with member countries of the European Union (EU). Governor of NTB Zulkieflimansyah made the statement while receiving the visit of the EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam Vincent Piket at the NTB Governor's Hall on Tuesday evening, as quoted in a statement on Wednesday. The governor said that his side remains committed to intensifying cooperation with various parties, including the EU, so that business actors in NTB Province can have the opportunity to collaborate with member countries of the union. "God willing, we will (also) cooperate with the EU in the education sector," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the EU ambassador noted that other EU delegations chose NTB as the first province to visit in Indonesia on account of its huge potential in trade and investment in the agriculture, fisheries, and education sectors. "In addition, several programs in NTB Province align with (the program of) the EU, such as Echo Green and curriculum development for student exchanges," he stated. Piket also noted that in addition to West Nusa Tenggara, the EU delegations will visit around 10 to 15 other provinces throughout Indonesia. As quoted from the website of European External Action Service (EEAS) of the EU, the supranational organization has funded a sustainable development project in East Lombok District, NTB Province, called Echo Green.
The project aims to improve sustainable farming practice and increase the involvement of female and young farmers regarding land use and spatial planning. The EU ambassador also highlighted the importance of implementing sustainable development principles in the Mandalika Special Economic Zone to provide value added to the province. In addition to holding a meeting with the NTB Governor, Piket would meet with members of the NTB Provincial Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin).
Source: https://en.antaranews.com/news/234317/ntb-eu-explore-trade-investment-cooperation
