E Nusa Tenggara Suggests Opening of Australian Consulate in Kupang

Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara, June 12 (Antara) -- The provincial administration of East Nusa Tenggara wants Australia to open its consulate in Kupang as part of the country's commitment to the triangular cooperation among Kupang, Dili and Darwin. "The opening of an Australian consulate in Kupang would prove its commitment to the development of the economies of Indonesia, Timor-Leste and the Northern Territory of Australia," Head of the Tourism and Creative Economy Office of East Nusa Tenggara Marius Ardu Jelamu said here on Friday. Timor-Leste, one of three countries associated with a trilateral cooperation, has opened its consulate in Kupang, he pointed out. "If Australia also opens its consulate in Kupang, then it (the cooperation) will be complete," he added. Expediting development in the three countries will make East Nusa Tenggara play the role of the cross-regional center of the three countries. "East Nusa Tenggara will be the cross-regional center because it shares borders with both Timor-Leste and Australia, which makes it is easier to establish trilateral relations and to communicate across ethnicities and sectors," Jelamu explained. He further noted that establishing East Nusa Tenggara as the cross-country center of the triangular cooperation program will support the economic growth of communities in the province. "This cooperation opens significant business opportunities. So East Nusa Tenggara will not merely be a gateway of business and investment for the Northern Territory of Australia and Timor-Leste but will be a center of commerce, industry, tourism and international financial services, as well," Jelamu emphasized. To prove its commitment towards the eastern region of Indonesia, the Australian government is opening a consulate in Makassar, South Sulawesi. "As part of our commitment to the eastern parts of Indonesian, Australia has announced the allocation of funds to open an Australian Consul General in Makassar," Australian Consular Officer for Development Cooperation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Jean-Bernard Carrasco affirmed. Makassar is known as one of the centers of economic growth in eastern Indonesia. Therefore, it is the key to ensuring economic growth and transformation in this region, he added.