Eastern Cape Premier, Ms Noxolo Kiviet says the meeting she held with Ambassador Sabaruddin from Indonesia this morning is long overdue. She told Ambassador Sabaruddin that agriculture is the mainstay of the Eastern Cape and that the Province, would welcome whatever opportunities exists in this field.
“Our province offers vast tracks of land which could be invested in to grow fruit and vegetables for domestic and international markets. We also have opportunities in the tourism industry,” she told the Ambassador Sabaruddin.
The ambassador was accompanied by Mr Berlian Helmay the Councilor for Economic Development as well as Mr Peter Verrijdt facilitator for the embassy. The ambassador expressed his appreciation to the Premier and Eastern Cape delegation for taking the time to hold the discussions.
He outlined that the purpose of the request by the Indonesian Embassy to meet with the Eastern Cape Province stems from an interest to rekindle cordial ties that had previously been established by the province in Indonesia but also to reinforce existing work that the province is currently involved in.
Referring to more current initiatives, it was noted that the embassy was encouraged by the interest that was being shown by the Coega Industrial Development Zone in Indonesia.
Taking matters forward the ambassador presented the following possible areas that the two provinces may consider cooperating in:
Agriculture:
- Scholarship programmes for junior degree students in the Eastern Cape as well as Masters level studies. These scholarships are ordinarily channelled through the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO).
- Promotion of research exchange initiatives between institutions of higher learning (specialising in agriculture).
- Promotion of knowledge sharing in the field of aquaculture, and canning of fruit and fresh produce.
Port Management:
- Exchange of expertise and building on the existing work that the Coega Industrial Development Zone is initiating
Education sector:
- Exchange programmes between institutions of higher learning
Small micro medium enterprise (SMME) development
- Best practices on the state coordination and development of SMME.
- In line with the above and linked with the work in agriculture, a proposal was made that the partnership may also include working in better understanding how to best work and structure cooperatives (co-ops).
Contact:
Manelisi Wolela
General Manager Provincial Communication System
Cell: 083 626 0304
For enquires contact:
Tobile Gowa
Media Liaison Officer
Cell: 082 440 6995
