Jakarta, Indonesianpost.com – The Government of Singapore looks to intensify relations between Indonesian and Singaporean youths, according to Singaporean Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister of Education and Foreign Affairs Maliki Osman.
“We hope that we will be able to continue to foster cooperation and strengthen the relations not only between our leaders but also between our youths,” he told ANTARA in Batam, Riau Islands, on Saturday.
The minister accentuated the importance of solidifying relations between the youths of both nations while noting that they will become the next leaders of the two countries in future.
“We should strengthen their relationship as early as possible in the hopes of encouraging and enabling them to work in collaboration to deal with challenges in the future,” he remarked.
Minister Osman then expressed keenness to witness more Singaporean youths visiting Riau Islands, especially Penyengat Island in Tanjungpinang City, to learn about the history and roots of their ancestors.
Furthermore, the minister expressed his support for the sustainability of cooperation programs that have been well-maintained by the governments of the two countries, including those related to educational and capacity-building activities for youths.
In this context, he highlighted Indonesia’s Riau Islands Province, stating that the province wields promising human resources and potential youths.
Based on his observation during his visits to several institutions in Riau Islands, Minister Osman stated that the archipelagic province is blessed with youths that possess promising capacity in several fields, including technology and media.
Speaking in connection with cooperation in the economy sector, he noted that Singapore constitutes the biggest investment contributor to Riau Islands, adding that such a trend serves as proof of the Singaporean investors’ confidence in the province’s potential.
To this end, he expressed hope that Singapore would be able to continue to foster and intensify cooperation with Indonesia, especially Riau Islands, for the sake of mutual benefits.