Central Java Explores Technology and Investment Cooperation with Iran

Central Java Governor Ahmad Luthfi is exploring cooperation with Iran in a number of sectors, including technology, investment, education, agriculture, plantations, trade, and energy. The initiative was discussed during a courtesy call from Iran’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Mohammad Boroujerdi, at the Governor’s office. “We discussed a sister city arrangement between Semarang and Yazd, and the potential for a sister province partnership between Central Java and a province in Iran,” Luthfi said in a written statement on Wednesday. Luthfi noted that Iran possesses several technological advantages that could provide valuable knowledge transfer for Central Java. He specifically highlighted Iranian dairy farming technology, which can produce up to 30 litres of milk per cow per day, significantly higher than the average 10-15 litres achieved by local farmers in the province. Other potential areas for collaboration include drone technology for agriculture, medical technology, and educational development. “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 stated. The Governor believes that sister province and sister city partnerships can boost the local economy, especially given the long-standing economic relationship. Non-oil and gas exports from Central Java to Iran were recorded at US$7.43 million in 2025, with the trade balance remaining in surplus. Meanwhile, Iranian investment realisation in Central Java from 2022 to the first quarter of 2026 reached only Rp612 million, ranking 59th among foreign investors, with most of the funds directed towards wood carving utilisation in Jepara. Luthfi also offered several strategic projects to attract further Iranian investment, including tourism, green energy, waste-to-energy conversion, green hospitals, integrated fisheries zones, and the salt processing industry. Ambassador Boroujerdi welcomed the discussions, stating that economic cooperation should be enhanced given the strong cultural and political ties between the two nations. He expressed hope for future collaboration on religious tourism packages to historical Islamic sites in Iran and confirmed he would contact the Iranian government and provincial authorities to follow up on the proposed partnerships.