The Chinese Consulate-General in Medan, North Sumatra and the Local Government of Pekanbaru, Riau are planning a cooperation in infrastructure construction of Pekanbaru in 2020.

“In the early stage, the cooperation will be implemented in infrastructure, and it will surely expand to other fields as there are many potential constructions in Pekanbaru,” Chinese Consulate-General in Medan Qiu Weiwei said to interviewers in Pekanbaru on Thursday (9/1).

According to Qiu Weiwei, the cooperation may develop further as Pekanbaru is one of the strategic regions in the heart of Sumatra. She said that Sumatra was a crucial region for the development of one belt one line as a global maritime axis.

“Besides infrastructure, there may be cooperation in other fields, such as Smart City development, hence the visit,” she explained.

According to Qiu Weiwei, the arrival of Chinese Consulate-General in Pekanbaru to learn more about Pekanbaru and establish future cooperation will not only introduce Chinese tourists to Bali, but also Pekanbaru.

Moreover, she said that China and Indonesia had established a relationship for a long time, so both countries continue to develop several economic aspects. Besides that, Pekanbaru Local Government has established a cooperation with Qing Dao.

“The cooperation is a sister city cooperation with the biggest city in Shandong Province, China. Next, the cooperation in services, trade, and industrial sectors can be developed further,” she said.

She explained that Pekanbaru was one of the 14 strategic industrial estates in Sumatra. Pekanbaru Local Government is developing Tenayan Industrial Estate and China can invest in the industrial and the tourism sectors as Pekanbaru is a Special Economic Zone and a Halal tourism destination in Sumatra. Kayangan Lake, Bandar Raya Payuk Sekaki, and Siak River Waterfront City have been developed to support tourism.