New Indonesian ambassador keen to strengthen and explore new areas of cooperation |11 January 2017

Soehardjono Sastromihardjo is the new ambassador of Indonesia to Seychelles.

He presented his credentials to President Danny Faure at State House yesterday morning and had some fruitful discussions with the Seychellois head of State before paying a courtesy call on Vice-President Vincent Meriton.

Mr Sastromihardjo, who is based in Nairobi, Kenya is replacing Sunu M. Soemarno who served in the post for three and half years and whose tenure of office came to term in January last year.

Speaking to the local press soon after meeting the two Seychellois leaders, Mr Sastromihardjo described his first meeting with President Faure as very warm and friendly and focused on issues of mutual interest.

Mr Sastromihardjo expressed satisfaction of the good bilateral relations between Indonesia and Seychelles which the two countries have enjoyed, nurtured and maintained for the past 31 years.

He said after presenting his accreditation letter to President Danny Faure it was the first opportunity for him to discuss numerous issues of interest to both countries.

“There is the need for us to further enhance our cooperation in several areas not only in trade and tourism because there are many other areas that can be explored and there are lots of opportunities that can be open for both countries,” Mr Sastromihardjo pointed out.

He said he also availed of the opportunity to extend an invitation to President Faure to attend the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) summit to be held in Djakarta, Indonesia’s capital on March 7. Both Indonesia and Seychelles are members of the IORA.

Mr Sastromihardjo said Indonesia and other members of the IORA are very keen in continuing and strengthening their cooperation with Seychelles.

He added that during his discussions with President Faure he also requested Seychelles’ support for Indonesia’s candidacy as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the period 2019-2020.

An area of cooperation Mr Sastromihardjo said Indonesia could provide help to Seychelles is in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), a sector of great potential for the Asian country.

“Indonesia can offer its expertise in developing small industries and share experiences in handicrafts. In the near future we will invite candidates from Seychelles to attend training and skills development in this sector,” Mr Sastromihardjo said.