Antara News·Indonesia·Tuesday, September 29, 2026 at 08:42 AM

Indonesia, Romania to expand cooperation in green energy and culture

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Nur Imansyah, Uyu Liman

Mataram, NTB (ANTARA) - The Indonesian province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) and the Romanian government have agreed to broaden bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors, including renewable energy, cultural exchange, and a "sister province" partnership.

During a meeting with Romanian Ambassador to Indonesia Dan Adrian Balanescu on Monday (September 28), NTB Governor Lalu Muhamad Iqbal highlighted the province's ambitious target to significantly boost its green energy capacity.

"We are highly focused on renewable energy development. Our goal is to provide at least 1.5 gigawatts within the next five years. Currently, our renewable energy mix is among the highest in Indonesia, standing at 25 percent," Iqbal said.

He cited solar and micro-hydro power plants as the primary green energy sources currently being developed across the region.

Beyond energy transition, the proposed cooperation spans education, mining, industry, agriculture, water management, and healthcare. These initiatives are designed to foster international knowledge exchange, boost investment, and drive technological advancement in the province.

Ambassador Balanescu also proposed establishing a formal sister-province relationship between NTB and a region in Romania. Governor Iqbal welcomed the initiative, expressing a specific interest in partnering with Iasi County.

"Culturally, we share an affinity with Iasi. Furthermore, Indonesia has many alumni from Alexandru Ioan Cuza University (in Iasi), especially in health-related fields," Iqbal explained.

This proposed partnership presents an opportunity for both regions to extend their relationship beyond government-to-government ties, fostering people-to-people connections, academic exchanges, professional networks, and business collaborations.

To further strengthen cultural diplomacy, the NTB provincial government formally invited the Romanian Embassy to participate in the province's 68th-anniversary celebrations scheduled for December 17–19.

Romania is expected to host cultural and culinary exhibitions, featuring traditional food demonstrations and cultural performances.

"For NTB, this involvement is part of our effort to showcase the region's rich cultural heritage while creating a broader platform for interaction between our people and the international community," Iqbal added.

To facilitate this growing partnership, Ambassador Balanescu conveyed plans to open a Romanian Honorary Consulate in NTB. The new diplomatic outpost will serve as a bridge to streamline communication and unlock future collaborations, particularly between Indonesian and Romanian business sectors.

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