East Java Encouraces Artists to Face AEC

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) - The East Java provincial government is encouraging local artists and tourism operators to prepare themselves for the implementation of the Asean Economic Community (AEC) in 2015. They must prepare themselves for the AEC so that they will not be afraid to face it, secretary of the East Java provincial government Akhmad Sukardi said here Thursday. "One of the ways to prepare is to cooperate with other provinces in Indonesia to promote their respective cultures," he said while opening a national workshop at the East Java cultural gallery. In the future, the East Java provincial government will integrate the investment, trade and tourism sectors so that they will easily be synergized, he explained. "If East Java has been prepared, we will just await other provinces in Indonesia to support the step so foreign countries will eye our potential," he stated. Everything depends on national promotion and East Java is ready to support it, he said. "We hope all sides can make a synergy and support each other to face the AEC," he added. Representatives from 11 out of 33 Indonesian provinces, including South Kalimantan, West Kalimantan, Jakarta and Yogyakarta, participated in the workshop. (*) Reported by Indra Setiawan