SERDANG BEDAGAI Regent, North Sumatera

On August 09, 2010, Honorary Consul Nico Barito, signed an LoI with The Regent of Serdang Bedagai. This LoI is in line with the program of Directorate of Africa at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia to accelerate bilateral economic development between Indonesia and Africa, while Seychelles has played a key role in the initiative. Mr.Erry Nuradi, The Regent of Serdang Bedagai expressed his interest to share and exchange the best experiences by working closely with Seychelles on eco-tourism and fishery to expedite the economic development of the coastal societies.
Serdang Bedagai is located 40 km south-east of Medan the capital of North Sumatera Province, and stretch along the Straits of Malacca. This regent is highly regarded for its palm oil plantation resource and agriculture.
In 2005, North Sumatera Province hosted Lake Toba Summit, an international agenda on local governments partnership on sustainable development focus at rehabilitation and reconstruction of post tsunami and disaster. The event which was attended by 600 governors and over 3000 participants from various local governments of the world was chaired by Nico Barito. The LoI prepared the apprenticeship ground for the technical collaboration between Seychelles and Serdang Bedagai on coastal & eco-management and capacity building for local actors featuring the maritime economic values.
Both parties are looking forward to set up a Maritime Economy Academic & Research Centre at Serdang Bedagai through a public and private partnership. This academy is expected to provide training and formal education on marine-life sovereignty and maritime economy values. The academic will be open for international students and serve as centre of excellence for maritime economy of ASEAN.
The signing of the LoI was held at Serdang Bedagai on the occasion of the inauguration of  Mr.Erry Nuradi’s 2nd term in the office. Presence on the signing is Governor Syamsul Arifin from North Sumatera and Ms.Rina Iriani, the Regent of Karanganyar, the current chairperson of Association of the 349 regencies of Indonesia (APKASI).