REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, SURABAYA -- State-owned port operator Pelindo III said it is studying possible cooperation with the city administration of Liverpool in construction of tourist boat ports and terminals. Pelindo's Commercial and Operational Director Mohammad Iqbal said talks of cooperation came following a visit to the Tanjung Perak port of Surabaya by Liverpool Mayor Joe Anderson and his deputy Gary Millar and British Ambassador to Indonesia Moazzam Malik.
The cooperation in port and terminal development for tourist boats is also part of the cooperation program of "Sister City" between Surabaya and Liverpool, Iqbal said here on Monday.
"Pelindo III continues to develop business in line with the Port Master Plan set by the government. Now we are focusing on finishing construction of the Terminal of Teluk Lamong," he said.
In addition, construction is process for "Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate" (JIIPE) in the area of Manyar, regency of Gresik to be followed with the construction of the port of Tanjung Bulupandan on Madura Island.
"Pelindo III has expanded the port of Tanjung Perak with the concept of 'Greater Surabaya Metropolitan Port' as the geographical position of Surabaya is strategic," he said, adding 80 percent of Indonesian shipping companies are based in Surabaya.
Earlier on Monday, Liverpool and Surabaya have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sister city cooperation.
Surabaya Mayor Tri Rismaharini stated the sister city cooperation covers development of creative economy, port management, development of Smart City and expansion of human resources capacity.
"There are a lot that could be developed in cooperation between the two cities," Risma said.
The sister city cooperation agreement was signed by Tri Rismaharini and Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson. Also present at the ceremony included deputy Mayor of Liverpool Gary Millar, and Ambassador Moazzam Malik.
From the beginning Risma had developed Surabaya with multitasking, that she plans to send Surabaya's talented youths in football to Liverpool for training.
"This is for long term. I want them to bring their dream to reality as international footballers," she said.
Joe Anderson said the cooperation between the two cities began when Risma visited Liverpool several years earlier.
He said Surabaya and Liverpool have much in common in characteristic to expand cooperation.
Ambassador Moazzam Malik said Liverpool has big contribution to the British development and similarly Surabaya is a big contributor to the development of Indonesia.
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