Indonesian Ambassador Highlights Potential Energy Cooperation with Alberta, Canada
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Ambassador to Canada, Muhsin Syihab, has highlighted the potential for cooperation between Indonesia and the Canadian province of Alberta in the field of energy security.
According to a press release from the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa received in Jakarta on Thursday, Ambassador Muhsin stated that Alberta is Canada’s main producer of crude oil.
Alberta’s position has become increasingly strategic amid the Middle East conflict, which is hindering oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz, thereby forcing the world to seek reliable alternative energy sources, he said.
Alberta’s Minister of Energy and Minerals, Brian Jean, stated that the province of Alberta is ready to cooperate with Indonesia to enhance energy security in Indonesia and to diversify its provincial partners.
The Minister specifically invited outbound investments from Indonesian state-owned enterprises (BUMNs) in Canada’s oil refinery sector to ensure long-term energy supplies from Alberta to Indonesia.
Ambassador Muhsin also emphasised the importance of establishing institutional cooperation between Indonesia’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, and Technology and Alberta’s Provincial Ministry of Higher Education.
According to him, such establishment would serve as an umbrella framework for strengthening relations between higher education institutions of both parties.
“As an important player in the Indo-Pacific region, Indonesia is a strategic partner for the Province of Alberta in building cooperation. This also aligns with and will strengthen the Government of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy,” said Ambassador Muhsin.
This was positively received by Alberta’s Minister of Higher Education, Myles McDougall, who affirmed shared views on the importance of academic collaboration as a solid foundation for long-term Indonesia-Alberta relations.
Ambassador Muhsin also specifically invited Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to undertake a working visit to Indonesia to explore concrete cooperation opportunities that can provide direct benefits to both parties.
The Premier of Alberta indicated her interest in making a working visit to Indonesia to meet directly with stakeholders and forge tangible and measurable cooperation.
“Indonesia is an important and strategic country with which the Province of Alberta wishes to build stronger cooperative relations in the future,” said the Premier.
Regarding the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA CEPA), stakeholders in the Province of Alberta hope that the ratification process of ICA CEPA in Indonesia will be completed soon so that all parties can utilise the agreement for mutual prosperity.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa stated that the ratification process of ICA CEPA in Canada has entered its final stage, namely Royal Assent, or approval by the Governor General of Canada after the discussion of the Bill in the Canadian Parliament is completed.