THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: What do Indonesia and Kerala have in common? According to Saut Siringoringo, the archipelago’s consul general in India, there are several common factors, foremost being friendly people.
“Nice, amiable people, rich culture and scenic locations are some of the similarities between the two places. There is a big scope for more cooperation between Kerala and Indonesia,” he said during a chat with Thiruvananthapuram Express on Thursday.
The consul general was in the capital to woo Indian investors to Indonesia. “We do have Indian investors but mostly in the tourism sector. As a fast growing economy, we need more investors in as many sectors, especially manufacturing,” he said.
He said the tourist flow between India and Indonesia is rising every year. “There was a 28.42 percent increase in Indian arrivals in 2016. Similarly, there has been an increase in the number of Indonesian tourists to India,” he said.
Indonesian tourists to India are mostly pilgrimage tourists; north Balinese Hindus coming to visit Varanasi, Ganga and other holy places in northern India.
According to Siringoringo, Kerala and its capital Thiruvananthapuram have a huge potential for educational tourism. “Higher education is one area in which Kerala can offer huge help to Indonesia. Kerala’s highlights include affordable cost, quality and safety. We plan to campaign big for Kerala among Indonesian students,” he said.
At present, a few Indonesian students are studying in Kerala. Two of them are in Kerala University. Indonesian students, who go abroad for higher studies prefer Technology and IT courses.
Pharma manufacturing and medical tourism are the other areas in which Indonesia and Kerala can cooperate, said Siringoringo. “Every year, thousands of Indonesians visit foreign countries for medical assistance. Major destinations are Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand,” he said.
In India, according to the consul general, treatment costs are less compared to these popular destinations. “But people are largely unaware of the Indian medical sector. Besides popularising India as a medical tourism destination, we look forward for tie-ups with major service providers,” he said.
Siringoringo is accompanied by consul (economics) Josep Sitepu, Vijay V Tawde (trade section), Walfred Tagor Manihuruk, director, Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), Chennai, Iska Huberta Sinurat, deputy director Indonesian Trade Promotion Centre (ITPC), Chennai and Vijay of Indonesian Consulate, Mumbai.