VIVAnews - Singapore is planning on opening a flight directly to Makassar, South Sulawesi, to speed up a partnership on trade and tourism between the two nations.
Singaporean Foreign Affairs Minister, George Yeo, said the Singaporean government will also negotiate with several airlines in Singapore to launch flights to Makassar. In addition, the countryis also planning to establish a commercial attache in South Sulawesi.
As quoted from depkominfo.go.id, South Sulawesi has potentials in agriculture, plantation, and fisheries. "Every [sector] is very potential for Singaporean investors," said George Yeo after a meeting with Governor of South Sulawesi, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, in Makassar.
Yeo thought that should there be direct flights from Makassar to Singapore, it would reduce trade costs than through Surabaya and Jakarta. The commodities that South Sulawesi export to Singapore include cacao and sea products.
Other than that, the Singaporean government will also set up partnership on health sector. One of the hospitals that will be cooperating is the Stroke Center of the Dadi Hospital, Makassar, South Sulawesi. The exchange of doctors and nurses will be concerned with a Heart hospital in Singapore."I will also visit Unhas [Hasanuddin University] to open a possibility for a partnership in education sector. An approach to culture will also be taken since they have Kampong Bugis in [Singapore] so there is a strong emotional relation with South Sulawesi," he added.
Meanwhile, Governor of South Sulawesi, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, said there are three major points from the meeting. First, to build commerce synergy between both countries by opening a direct flight.
Second, the Singaporean government is hoping that South Sulawesi will make a study of history on Bugis Makassar in the country. Third, the cooperation in health sector by exchanging doctors and nurses especially for stroke center should be established.
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Translated by: Ariyantri E. Tarman
