Russia to reactivate consulate in Surabaya

SURABAYA, East Java: Russian Ambassador to Indonesia Vladimir Y. Plotnikov said he would focus on reopening the consulate office in Surabaya, East Java province to maintain good cooperation with the province.

He said that the consulate office was needed to facilitate activities that could promote cooperation between Russia and the province.

"Both East Java and Russia have great potential in the tourism and trade fields," Plotnikov said.

He was speaking at a meeting with the province's governor Imam Utomo.

Plotnikov was earlier a Russian consul in the province from 1967 to 1970. He believed that the provincial tourist spots like Mount Bromo, Trowulan, Singosari and plantation areas would attract many tourists, including those from Russia.

He said that 15,000 Russian tourists visited Indonesia last year, but most of them went to Bali. --Antara