Gold Coast in Queensland and Makassar in South Sulawesi, Indonesia are working towards a new relationship as Sister Cities.
This is marked by the signing of a Letter of Intent (LoI) between the Mayor of Makassar, Moh. Ramdhan "Danny" Pomanto and Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate on Monday in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
Danny said that Mr Tate's presence is an evidence that the city of Makassar is getting more importance globally while the existence of the Australian Consulate in Makassar is a proof of the city's significance to Australia.
"It's remarkable that they [the Gold Coast Government] are interested in Makassar, it's a matter of pride," read Danny's remarks quoted in the press release of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney
"Indonesian Consul General in Sydney and the Australian Consul General were in presence. They were the ones who previously consulted to agree to bring the Mayor of Gold Coast to Makassar."
Traditionally, sister city relationships focused on cultural and education exchanges. But it is now recognised that these relationships also have the ability to stimulate economic growth, increase tourism and assist in establishing reliable business contacts which can create long-term benefits to the local community and partners abroad.
Letter of Intent signing between the Mayor of the City of Gold Coast and Makassar. Source: KJRI Sydney
It is mentioned in the City of Gold Coast's website that it currently has eight sister cities namely Beihai and Zhuhai in China, Dubai in UAE, Fort Lauderdale in USA, Noumea in New Caledonia, Tainan and Taipei in Taiwan as well as Takasu in Japan. Makassar would be the Indonesia's eighth city to become Australia's twin town.
Makassar and Gold Coast relations have been established through student exchange programs.
City of Gold Coast. Source: Pixabay
"The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) that has just been signed by the Governments of Indonesia and Australia benefits the education, vocational and tourism sectors," said the Indonesian Consul General for NSQ, Queensland and SA Heru Hartanto Subolo.
"The IA-CEPA will certainly help accelerate the realisation of this sister-cities cooperation."
When contacted by SBS Indonesian, the Consul for Information, Social and Cultural of the Indonesian Consulate General in Sydney Hermanus Dimara said that the intensive communication to produce an agreement between the two parties had begun since the LoI.
"The common procedure is that after a statement of intention, while both parties begin to work together in areas that are of mutual interests, discussions on the MoU or the like will be held," said Mr Dimara.
