East Java and Russia's St Petersburg Explore High-Speed Ship Cooperation
Surabaya (ANTARA) - The Provincial Government of East Java and the City of St Petersburg, Russia, are exploring cooperation in the development of the hydrofoil fast ship industry, healthcare services, and digital technology to strengthen connectivity and public services.
“The discussion was, in my view, very productive. There is already ongoing cooperation with the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS), both in education and in preparing for the development of the shipbuilding industry, particularly fast ships,” said East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa after receiving a visit from the Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, Russia, Alexander N Belsky, in Surabaya on Friday.
Khofifah stated that a preliminary study on the development of hydrofoil fast ships has been conducted and is considered promising for realisation in Indonesia as an archipelagic nation. According to her, the project will hold strategic significance for Indonesia as it can improve inter-regional connectivity and support more efficient public mobility.
Beyond the shipbuilding sector, Khofifah also offered cooperation in the health sector through the development of a cancer centre and the strengthening of digital technology. “East Java wishes to establish more specific cooperation to prepare a cancer centre and other fields, including digital technology, to improve the quality of healthcare services,” she said.
Chairman of the Legislative Assembly of St Petersburg, Russia, Alexander N Belsky, stated that his party is striving to realise the strategic partnership between Russia and Indonesia that was agreed upon by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto. He noted that the potential for cooperation between St Petersburg and East Java is very large, particularly in the health sector, higher education, and port development, given that both regions have major strategic ports. “We want to create a good and productive atmosphere for Russian and Indonesian companies to work together and achieve the goals of this strategic partnership,” Alexander said.