YOGYAKARTA, (Indonesia): (Bernama) Malaysia's Ambassador to Indonesia, Datuk Syed Md Hasrin Tengku Hussin (pic), met with Yogyakarta's Deputy Governor, Paku Alam X RM Wijoseno Hario Bimo, at the Governor's Office on Friday (Dec 13) during a working visit to the province.
During the meeting, Syed Md Hasrin emphasised the importance of strengthening bilateral relations between Malaysia and Yogyakarta, particularly in trade, investment and economic cooperation.
"In today's rapidly changing global landscape, it is essential that we strengthen our ties, particularly in key areas like investment, which offer significant opportunities for us," he said.
He also highlighted the tourism sector as a vital avenue for enhancing people-to-people connections, noting that it offers significant opportunities for both countries, alongside the education sector.
Meanwhile, Paku Alam X expressed his commitment to enhancing cooperation, underscoring the mutual benefits of strengthening bilateral ties, especially in areas of shared interest.
He reaffirmed Yogyakarta's rich history and its standing as a hub for education, tourism, and culture, while stressing the province's strong ties with the Malaysian royal families, government, and cultural institutions.
"Our province has strong appeal to Malaysian travellers, with between 40 and 50 per cent of tourists visiting Yogyakarta currently coming from Malaysia," the Deputy Governor said.
On Yogyakarta's economic progress, he noted that it had risen to second place, just behind Jakarta, in the 2024 Human Development Index report released by Statistics Indonesia.
"The report highlights significant improvements in education, life expectancy, and living standards, positioning Yogyakarta as one of the leaders in human resource development in Indonesia," he added. - Bernama
