Economic exchange with Indonesia

The City of Cockburn's response to PerthNow Cockburn on 15 August 2022 about Cockburn Council's proposed economic exchange with Indonesia

Question: Can you please outline the history of the City’s relationship with Surabaya? 

Answer: Surabaya is Indonesia’s second largest port, the largest shipbuilder and home to the Indonesian second Naval fleet. Discussions with the Deputy Governor of Surabaya during a recent visit to Perth identified significant synergies between Cockburn and Surabaya in economic areas of shipbuilding, health and aged care, education and digital technology resulting in the Deputy Governor inviting the city to meet with key industry stakeholders in Surabaya and discuss bi-lateral economic exchange opportunities.

Question: Has the city visited Surabaya before? When was the last time the City made an international trip like this and where was it?

Answer: No. 

Question: The report says the delegation will consist of 10-20 Industry representatives- will they be expected to pay their own way or will it be covered by the City?

Answer: All industry participants/delegates will be funding their costs for the visit.

Question: Can you confirm what the budget for the trip is?

Answer: Now that the Council has agreed in principle to the delegation, planning and costings will be explored. 

Question: Do you have any Industry representatives that you could put us in touch with who would likely be involved in the trip- we would love to get some more voices in this story if possible. 

Answer: Not at this stage. The City would be happy to facilitate this closer to the date of the visit.

Question: Anything else you would like to include for the story please include here too.

Answer: The role of local government has traditionally been one of regulator, facilities operator and service provider -  but we can do much more to grow our local economy. This economic exchange opportunity is an example of a local government enabling business growth and industry stimulus. 

A thriving blue economy in Cockburn will attract further public and private investment, resulting in the proliferation of support industries, training options and quality employment opportunities to futureproof the local economy.