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Indonesia talks business, tourism with Timor Leste, Australia
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Sunset at Wae Cicu Beach in Labuan Bajo, Flores, East Nusa Tenggara, in March 2018. (JP/Wienda Parwitasari)
I
ndonesian government officials are meeting representatives from neighboring countries Timor Leste and Australia in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), to discuss economic cooperation, particularly in tourism.
NTT Tourism Agency head Marius Ardu Jelamu told KompasTravel on Tuesday that the three-day meeting, which will run until Friday, was a follow-up of cooperation between the three countries that had begun in 2012. "One of the things that will be discussed is how we can increase [collaboration] in tourism," he explained.
In addition to tourism, Marius said the activity – initiated by the Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister – would also discuss general economic cooperation, investment and business as well as land, sea and air connectivity, culture, livestock and farming, education and health.
Read also: Choosing between staying in a hotel or a boat in Labuan Bajo
He added that the trilateral cooperation was aimed at strengthening relations between the three countries. "We have frequently held such meetings, either in Jakarta, Darwin, Dili or Kumpang. This one in Labuan Bajo is the follow-up."
With regard to tourism, Marius said the agency would propose increased air connectivity, with flight routes from Darwin in Australia to Kupang and Labuan Bajo. "We hope that new connections could be opened, not only from Darwin to Kupang, but also from other Australian cities like Canberra, Sydney or Melbourne."
The Tourism Ministry is set to give a presentation on Indonesia's tourism potential. "We have prepared the material for tourism in NTT," Marius added. (kes)
