DENPASAR, BALI – EXECUTIVE ADMINISTRATION BUREAU. Central Kalimantan Governor H. Sugianto Sabran and Bali Governor Wayan Koster signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Establishment and Development of Regional Potentials at Gajah Building, Bali Governor’s Office, Saturday (26/3/2022).

The Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran, expressed his gratitude to Bali Governor and all ranks of the Bali Provincial Government for their warm and extraordinary welcome. On the occasion of the gathering as well as the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding, Governor Sugianto Sabran explained that cooperation in the establishment and development of various regional potentials, especially the tourism sector, is expected to further encourage the acceleration of regional development and improve the welfare of the people in the Central Kalimantan Province and Bali Province.

The Central Kalimantan Governor said that the acceleration of development in Bumi Tambun Bungai cannot be separated from the support of transmigrants from Bali who have lived and mingled with local residents since 1961.

Furthermore, regarding the acceleration of development, Governor Sugianto Sabran assessed that this meeting was very important and strategic because the Joint Agreement signed today is the basis for synergizing programs and optimizing the utilization of the potentials of each region, both the potential of human resources, natural resources, and human resources.

The establishment and development of the regional potentials covers a number of sectors, namely: (1) Tourism and Culture; (2) Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs); (3) Trade; (4) Village Community Empowerment; (5) Fisheries and Marine Affairs; (6) Agriculture and Livestock; (7) Forestry and Plantation; (8) Transmigration; and (9) Human Resource Development.

“Our first priority sector in this collaboration is the development of tourism and cultural potential,” said Governor Sugianto Sabran.

Even then, the Central Kalimantan Governor explained that the tourism potential of Bali is no longer in doubt even in the eyes of the world. Meanwhile, Central Kalimantan also has enormous tourism potential, with the largest orangutan habitat tourist destination in the world, namely Tanjung Puting National Park, in addition to Sebangau National Park and the potential for rivers, beaches, seas, and as a buffer zone for the State Capital.

“Based on this, I consider Central Kalimantan deserves to be a tourism partner for Bali in the future. It is also possible to cooperate with direct flights from Pangkalan Bun-Bali to make it easier for tourists to access Tanjung Puting National Park as an orangutan rehabilitation center as well as the potential for Natural Forest and Black Water tourism,” he explained.

Furthermore, the Central Kalimantan Governor asked the heads of relevant institutions of Central Kalimantan Government to move quickly to follow up on this initial agreement.

“Coordinate and collaborate intensively with the heads of related institutions of Bali Provincial Government to jointly formulate strategic steps in a Cooperation Agreement, so that we can immediately create various cooperation opportunities that can bring great benefits to accelerated development, economic growth, and improving public welfare in Bali and Central Kalimantan,” concluded the Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran.

In addition to Bali Governor Wayan Koster, today’s event was also attended by the Provincial Secretary of Bali and the ranks of the heads of Bali provincial government institutions. Being present to accompany the Central Kalimantan Governor were a number of heads of Central Kalimantan provincial government institutions, including the Head of Regional Development Planning, Research and Development Agency, the Head of Public Works and Public Housing Office, the Head of Trade and Industry Office, Acting Head of Regional Revenue Agency, Acting Head of Education Office, Acting Head of Procurement of Goods and Services Bureau, and Acting Head of Public Welfare Bureau, Acting Head of Culture and Tourism Office, Acting Head of General Affairs Bureau, and Acting Head of Executive Administration Bureau.

Previously, the Central Kalimantan Governor attended a meeting with the agenda of the President’s Directions to ministers, heads of institutions, regional heads, and State-Owned Enterprises regarding the Affirmation Action of Bangga Buatan Indonesia (Proud of Indonesian Products) at the Grand Hyatt Hotel Nusa Dua, Bali, Friday (25/3/2022).

The meeting which was chaired directly by the President of the Republic of Indonesia Joko Widodo was held in a hybrid manner in Nusa Dua, Bali with the compliance of strict health protocols and virtually through the Zoom Meeting application. A number of institutional leaders and ministers/ministerial level officials attended in person, while several other institutional leaders and ministers/ministerial level officials attended the event online. Meanwhile, the directors/leadership of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) and governors/regents/mayors throughout Indonesia were present in person in Nusa Dua, Bali. (ran/ist/transl.feb)