Indonesia And Australia's Relations Are Getting Better, Ganjar: A Very Important Neighboring Country

SEMARANG - Cooperation between Indonesia and Australia is considered very important to create leaders in the battery industry. This is because Indonesia has nickel and Australia has technology that can be developed together.

This was said Central Java Governor Ganjar Pranowo when meeting with the Minister of Trade and Investment Queensland, Australia, Cameron Dick, at Puri Gedeh, August 11 evening.

The meeting was to strengthen and increase cooperation between Central Java Province and Queensland State which has been established for approximately 32 years. Among them are in the field of investment and new and renewable energy.

"I would like to thank you for the visit from the Queensland delegation. We are happy because we have been working together for more than decades and the results are good," said Ganjar after the meeting.

Ganjar said that the potential for cooperation that will be increased in the future is related, among other things, to new and renewable energy. During the meeting, Ganjar said that Australia is a close neighbor of Indonesia.

These two countries must be able to work together in various fields to face world challenges that change rapidly. These include food problems, environmentally friendly energy, and climate change.

"We have to find a way out for the needs of the community. Energy and food must be met. We must establish cooperation in relation to the new economic era," said Ganjar during a dialogue with Cameron Dick.

Ganjar added, currently Indonesia is starting to develop an ecosystem for new and renewable energy. The ecosystem will start from Central Java. Therefore, cooperation between Indonesia and Australia is very important to create a leader in the battery industry.

This is because Indonesia has nickel and Australia has technology that can be developed together. Likewise with Waste to Energy (WTE) which is starting to be developed in Central Java.

Meanwhile, Queensland Treasurer and Investment Minister, Cameron Dick, said arrivals to Central Java were to celebrate 32 countries province between Queensland and Central Java. For decades, the two sides have helped each other in building the economy.

"Arrival today is also to emphasize and emphasize the relationship between the two provinces and also to initiate future cooperation, especially on renewable energy," he said.

He also responded to climate change that occurred in the world. Therefore, the development of new and renewable energy that began to be initiated in Central Java and Indonesia became important.

"Hopefully relations between Queensland and Central Java Province will improve, Indonesia's relations with Australia are getting better, because Australia is an important neighbor for Indonesia so that cooperation can be improved," he said.

This is also the hope and potential for future cooperation. For example, the development of the WTE in Central Java which is considered in accordance with the conditions in Queensland.

"The population in Queensland is so large that the potential for pollution from waste is also large. Waste to Energy can be an option to overcome this while meeting energy needs," he said.

Ganjar added that the sister province with Queensland has provided many benefits for both parties. For example, during the Covid-19 pandemic, Queensland provided enormous assistance to Central Java, including sending medical equipment.

In the health sector, the last Queensland also provided assistance in the form of a floating ambulance to Central Java Province. The Queensland government also provided assistance and other investments to Central Java Province in several other sectors.

In the economic sector, Queensland provides capital assistance for MSME players in Central Java, Indonesia. Then in the social sector, in the form of wheelchair assistance for children with cerebral stalls. In addition, cooperation in the field of education, either through educational institutions or directly provided.