Central Java Explores Sister Province Partnership and Investment Cooperation with Iran
Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi received a courtesy call from Iran’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, at the Governor’s Office in Semarang on Wednesday. The meeting explored potential cooperation across various sectors, including technology, investment, education, health, agriculture, plantations, trade, and the development of Muslim tourism.
Luthfi stated that discussions included a ‘sister city’ relationship between Semarang and Yazd, as well as the potential for a ‘sister province’ partnership between Central Java and a province in Iran. This initiative is part of an effort to expand international cooperation networks to drive economic growth in Central Java.
According to Luthfi, Iran possesses several technological advantages that could present knowledge transfer opportunities for the province. One example is dairy farming technology capable of producing up to approximately 30 litres of milk per cow per day, significantly higher than the average production of Central Java’s farmers, which currently ranges from 10 to 15 litres. Iran is also considered to have experience in developing drone technology for the agricultural sector, medical technology, and educational development that could be collaborated on with Central Java.
“If their technology is more advanced and can be applied in Central Java, it will certainly increase community productivity. That is what we want to learn,” Luthfi said. He noted that a ‘sister province’ and ‘sister city’ cooperation could boost the economy, especially as economic relations between Central Java and Iran have been established for quite some time. In 2025, Central Java’s non-oil and gas exports to Iran reached approximately USD 7.43 million, with the trade balance still in surplus. Meanwhile, Iranian investment realisation in Central Java from 2022 to the first quarter of 2026 only reached around IDR 612 million, ranking 59th as a source country for investment. “Iran’s investment in Central Java is mostly in Jepara, related to the utilisation of wood carving,” he added.
Ambassador Boroujerdi confirmed that initial discussions for a ‘sister city’ agreement between Semarang and Yazd have taken place, and he hopes formal talks will follow to finalise the cooperation. He suggested enhancing economic cooperation, noting that cultural, political, and international organisational ties between the two nations are already very strong. Iran is ready to cooperate in various fields such as education, science and technology, agriculture, animal husbandry, food security, and energy security. In the tourism sector, he expressed hope for cooperation on religious travel packages to cities and the tombs of historical Islamic figures in Iran. “We hope cooperation can be established with Central Java. After this visit, I will contact the Iranian government and provinces in Iran to forge cooperation with Central Java,” he said.