Today I will open Australia's first Consulate-General in Makassar, South Sulawesi.
Australia is committed to building our trade and investment partnership with Indonesia and expanding our people-to-people links. The Consulate-General will deepen our business, education and cultural links with the provinces of eastern Indonesia.
Eastern Indonesia is an increasingly popular destination for Australian trade and investment, particularly in the resources, agribusiness and food processing sectors. Urbanisation and a growing middle class in the region's cities are generating new opportunities for economic partnership between Australia and Indonesia, including in infrastructure, investment, tourism and education.
I am also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Richard Mathews as Australia's first Consul-General in Makassar.
Media release: Consul-General in Makassar