Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA) - East Java Governor Khofifah Indar Parawansa said they are exploring a sister province cooperation between East Java and the City of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to strengthen bilateral ties in trade, education, culture, and community networks.
“Mr. Oybek conveyed hopes that we can sign a sister province cooperation between East Java and Samarkand,” Parawansa said here on Saturday while receiving Uzbekistan’s Ambassador to Indonesia and ASEAN, Oybek Eshonov.
She explained that the East Java Provincial Government is currently completing administrative and licensing processes in accordance with regulations through coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Trade.
After these stages are completed, the signing of the cooperation protocol is planned before it is submitted for approval to the East Java Regional Legislative Council (DPRD).
The signing is scheduled to coincide with the visit of the Governor of Samarkand to East Java on April 4-7.
Beyond economic and governmental aspects, Parawansa emphasized that East Java and Samarkand share close historical and spiritual ties.
“East Java and Samarkand have strong spiritual and religious connections. From our Islamic boarding schools, many conduct religious visits to the tomb of Imam Bukhari, as they study his hadith extensively,” she said.
She added that one of the Wali Songo or nine saints, Syekh Maulana Malik Ibrahim, who played a role in spreading Islam in East Java, is believed to have originated from Central Asia, including Samarkand.
“Therefore, we are also strengthening spiritual bonds from a cultural perspective in Indonesia-Uzbekistan relations, particularly East Java-Samarkand,” she added.
In terms of trade, from January to October 2023, East Java’s non-oil and gas exports to Uzbekistan reached US$9.36 million, increasing from the previous year, with a strong five-year average growth trend.
Key export commodities include animal or vegetable fats and oils, processed food products, soap and cleaning preparations, and paper and paperboard.
