Slovak to appoint honorary consul

BATAM, Riau Islands: In order to strengthen ties between the Slovak Republic and Riau Islands province, the Slovak government is planning to appoint an honorary consul in Batam city.

Batam is a bustling trading city that has become an Indonesian gateway to neighboring countries Malaysia and Singapore, said Riau Island spokesman Muhammad Nur.

In a recent meeting with officials from Riau Islands government, Peter Holasek, the Slovak Ambassador to Indonesia, expected that the honorary consul appointment would boost trade between Batam and the Slovak Republic. -- JP