Indonesia's Maluku

Ambon (ANTARA) - The Maluku provincial government and the Japanese Consulate General explored opportunities for cooperation across strategic fields, ranging from investment and education to fisheries, agriculture, and the management of minerals, oil, and gas.Maluku Deputy Governor Abdullah Vanath said in Ambon on Wednesday that his administration is committed to courting Japanese investment and supporting existing business projects, aiming to deliver tangible benefits to local residents.

pushes educational, economic ties with Japan

"We are committed to seizing this opportunity to create jobs for the people of Maluku," he said.

He noted the education sector as one of the cooperation priorities, endorsing bilateral partnerships involving the University of Pattimura and other higher education institutions to boost the quality of human resources in the province.

The Maluku government, he added, also aims to strengthen vocational education to expand access for residents to secure employment in Japan, which he noted is facing a rising demand for manpower.

Shifting to the real economy, Vanath called for initiatives to strengthen Maluku’s agriculture and fisheries sectors to seize opportunities in export markets. He said he had instructed government aides to help local industries meet international standards.

For his part, Japanese Consul General Susumu Takonai recognized Maluku’s vast potential in both capture fisheries and aquaculture, which can be harnessed through technology transfers, human resource development, and the strengthening of supply chains and quality standards.

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He spotlighted avenues for collaboration in the sustainable management of mineral resources and energy, voicing support for the development of the Masela Gas Block as one of Indonesia’s national strategic projects.

Takonai further referred to the education sector, endorsing student exchange programs, scholarships, and vocational capacity building to produce workers with skills required by industries.

Moreover, he expressed Japan’s readiness to provide grants for developing or procuring schools, hospitals, ambulances, and other basic infrastructure and facilities to enhance the quality of life in Maluku.