Canada Explores Investment Opportunities in West Java Province
The Government and Canadian entrepreneurs have expressed interest in investing in West Java Province. This emerged during a visit by Canada’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Jess Dutton, to the Gedung Sate (West Java Provincial Government Building) where she was received by Vice Governor Erwan Setiawan on Wednesday, 11 March.
Jess Dutton stated that Canada first wished to meet with local business people to explore investment opportunities.
“Furthermore, we also want to collaborate with Development Assistance Partners based in West Java,” Dutton said ahead of delivering a public lecture at Parahyangan Catholic University in Bandung.
Vice Governor Erwan indicated that West Java was open to establishing communication and cooperation with Canada.
“West Java, with Indonesia’s largest population, always opens itself to cooperation with friendly nations, including Canada,” he explained.
He identified numerous potential areas for cooperation beyond investment and education, including technology, trade, clean energy, and human resource development.
“We hope the good relationship between West Java and Canada can continue to be strengthened through various mutually beneficial collaborations,” he emphasised.
Relations between West Java and Canada have been established for some time. Examples include active involvement of Canadian entrepreneurs in the West Java Investment Summit (WJIS) in the green infrastructure, downstream industry, and renewable energy sectors.
Additionally, Bandung previously hosted negotiations for the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA) in 2024, which reinforced West Java’s position as a strategic location for both nations’ economic diplomacy.
Indonesia and Canada established diplomatic relations following the signing of an agreement by both countries to open diplomatic representations in 1952.
“May the unity established today further strengthen the good relations between West Java and Canada,” Erwan added.