Dutch Eager to Cooperate with Surabaya in Environmental Field

Surabaya, E Java (Antara) -- Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia Rob Swartbol visited Mayor of Surabaya Tri Rismaharini here on Thursday to look into the possibility of establishing cooperation in treating wastewater and processing garbage into an alternative source of energy. "I am amazed at the cleanliness and greenery of Surabaya city," Swartbol remarked, adding that Surabaya was better maintained than Jakarta in terms of cleanliness. Swartbol, who was accompanied by honorary consul Sylvia Pangkey and economic attaché Hayo Provokluit, further praised Rismaharini for the numerous awards the capital of the East Java province had received in the last few years. In response, Rismaharini said that the Surabaya administration had put in a lot of efforts to keep the city clean the last two years. Surabaya is one of the exemplary cities of Indonesia. The East Java provincial capital, in cooperation with the Japanese government, recycled garbage to produce an alternative source of energy. "Garbage in Surabaya is also recycled for valuable purposes. In kampongs, we sort garbage into separate piles of organic and non-organic trash. We manage organic trash to produce compost to grow plants in city parks," she stated. The mayor further noted that the city government was focusing on developing means of mass transport, including tram and monorail lines that are expected to be started this year. (*) Reported by Abdul Hakim