Canadian dollar set for S. Sulawesi

The Canadian government plans to increase its investments in Indonesia, particularly in South Sulawesi, marking 60 years of bilateral relations between the two countries.

The Canadian Embassy in Indonesia sent 11 Canadian businesspeople to South Sulawesi to learn about business opportunities in the province.

“We have brought 11 delegates from different companies because we want to advance cooperation between our two countries by adding to our investments, particularly in South Sulawesi,” the Canadian Embassy’s trade division chief, Richard Bale, said Wednesday at the South Sulawesi governor’s official residence in Makassar.

Bale said that the businesspeople would stay in Makassar for two days to discuss cooperation opportunities in various sectors, such as mining, agriculture and education, at a business forum.

A number of Canadian companies are operating in South Sulawesi, including nickel producer PT Vale Indonesia (previously known as PT Inco) – which has operated in the province for 43 years – and insurance company Manulife.

South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo welcomed the plan, saying that it highlighted the good reputation the province had gained and also meant there may be opportunities for the province to become an investment destination in the global community.

“We are open to both foreign and domestic investors as long as they comply with regional regulations. We need investment to improve welfare for locals,” Syahrul said. (swd/mtq)