PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - West Java Province and Heilongjiang, China, agreed to strengthen economic business relations and friendship through various collaborations.

As a concrete step, the Acting Governor of West Java, Bey Machmudin, warmly received the visit of the Heilongjiang Provincial Government delegation led by Deputy Governor Yu Jian directly in the Governor's living room at Gedung Sate, Bandung City, Tuesday (29/10/2024).

Bey's meeting with Yu explored investment potential in various strategic sectors, including agricultural technology and the tourism industry.

"We in West Java have great potential in terms of human resources, nature, and tourism, and are open to investors, including from China, to invest here," said Bey Machmudin.

Bey also invited investors from Heilongjiang to invest in the Ciayumajakuning area with the West Java International Airport (BIJB) Kertajati as the main magnet.

"Especially, we invite participation in the development of Kertajati Airport which will become an important hub in West Java," he added.

Bey's meeting with Yu was cordial. In addition to various potential collaborations, the two also discussed a joint event that will be held in the near future, namely West Java - Heilongjiang Business Matching.

West Java - Heilongjiang Business Matching will take place at the Pullman Hotel, Bandung City, presenting 32 business actors from Heilongjiang and 45 business actors from West Java.

This joint event is expected to expand trade opportunities and economic collaboration between the two provinces.

The business delegation from Heilongjiang will cover a wide range of sectors, from banking, infrastructure, IT, to tourism and manufacturing.

Heilongjiang Province is known as a major food producer from China for commodities such as rice, corn, and soybeans. Deputy Governor Yu Jian hinted at opening up opportunities for agricultural technology transfer from Heilongjiang to West Java.

With advanced technology in the fields of seeding, processing, and marketing of agricultural products, Heilongjiang offers training and internship programs to increase the capacity of farmers in West Java.

This collaboration is expected to reduce crop losses, improve product quality, and optimize West Java's agricultural product marketing strategies.

Heilongjiang Deputy Governor Yu Jian expressed his joy at the warm welcome given by the West Java Provincial Government.

Yu stressed the importance of building close ties with Asian countries, including Indonesia, through economic cooperation initiatives and infrastructure development, such as the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail project.

"This cooperation not only reflects historical closeness, but also a commitment to strengthening future relations between Heilongjiang Province and West Java," said Yu Jian.