Gorontalo Provincial Government and Ministry of Investment Discuss Private Sector Support for Gorontalo Half Marathon

Governor of Gorontalo, Gusnar Ismail, held a meeting with Muhammad Rudy Salahuddin, Secretary of the Ministry/Chief Secretary of the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi (BKPM), in Jakarta on Saturday, 7 March 2025. The meeting aimed to discuss facilitating private-sector support for the Gorontalo Half Marathon (GHM) 2025 so that it is no longer reliant on the regional budget (APBD). In the discussion held on the third-floor room of the Ismail Saleh Building, Governor Gusnar expressed his wish that this year’s GHM be involved with private companies. “We hope the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM can help facilitate private parties that can collaborate in organising Gorontalo Half Marathon,” Gusnar said. In addition to GHM, Gusnar reported that the Gorontalo Provincial Government has signed a memorandum of understanding with ID FOOD in Jakarta on 5 March 2025. This cooperation forms part of an integrated poultry-processing industry hilirisasi programme in North Gorontalo Regency. In response, Muhammad Rudy Salahuddin said that GHM has great potential to become a national-scale sports event. “Seeing the enthusiasm of participants that continues to rise, GHM should be able to become a barometer of national events in Gorontalo Province,” he said. He also stressed his ministry’s readiness to help facilitate private-sector sponsorship support. Rudy suggested that local governments should prepare tourism-supporting activities that occur close to the GHM. “Thus, the event would not only be a sports event but also help promote tourism and regional economic activity,” he added. The meeting also discussed opportunities for further collaboration that could be facilitated by the Ministry of Investment and Hilirisasi/BKPM, including the development of a sister city programme, promotion of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and support for studies for Gorontalo students to Morocco. Governor Gusnar attended the meeting accompanied by Regional Secretary Sofian Ibrahim and the Head of Youth and Sports Department along with their teams. The atmosphere was cordial, given that Rudy Salahuddin had previously served as Acting Governor of Gorontalo.