Tunisia establishes consulate in Yogya

YOGYAKARTA: In a bid to improve the bilateral relationship between Indonesia and the Republic of Tunisia, an honorary consulate has been established in Yogyakarta, the first ever in the province.

Its establishment was marked jointly on Wednesday by Tunisian Ambassador to Indonesia Mohammed Mouldi Kefi and Yogyakarta Governor Sultan Hamengkubuwono X.

Newly appointed Honorary Consul Moetaryanto said that the establishment of the Yogyakarta consulate was mostly because there were many similarities between Tunisia and Yogyakarta.

These included the fact that the economy of both regions was dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises.

The establishment of the consulate, he said, would hopefully create more marketing opportunities for Yogyakarta commodities, especially furniture and handicraft products, to enter the European market via Tunisia.

"It's true that as finishing is done in Tunisia, the products will be marketed with Tunisian brands. However, I don't think that will be a problem," Moetaryanto said.

Kefi, similarly, said that Tunisia and Indonesia had long enjoyed good relations. Establishment of the consulate in Yogyakarta, he said, would hopefully strengthen them. -- JP