Bali-St. Petersburg ties stronger cooperation: Governor Koster

We are very open to investment as long as it complies with prevailing regulations

Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - Bali Governor Wayan Koster said the friendly ties between Bali and St. Petersburg are getting stronger, with ongoing cooperation in several fields, including education, tourism, and sports.

The number of Russian visitors in Bali has continued to increase, Koster added, as they now understand and comply with Indonesian regulations while respecting Bali’s local culture.

"Some of them come for tourism and others for investment. We are very open to investment as long as it complies with prevailing regulations and respects Bali's local wisdom," Koster said after receiving a delegation from St. Petersburg parliament and governor's office in Bali on Monday.

Bali is interested in strengthening ties with St. Petersburg City in Russia as both regions could develop through two-way tourism promotion. Koster said it could also encourage more Balinese people to visit Russia, particularly St. Petersburg.

"We need to hold regular meetings to promote tourism in both regions," he added.

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Koster also welcomed an invitation from Russian parliament to visit St. Petersburg, discussing cultural cooperation between the two cities.

"I was scheduled to visit Russia this June, but the agenda had to be postponed due to certain circumstances. I am very eager to visit Russia and hopefully it can be rescheduled in the future," Koster said.

Regarding the invitation, he would coordinate further on the matter, considering the upcoming parliamentary election in Russia. Besides, all international cooperation agendas should obtain approval from central government in Jakarta.

In the meantime, Aleksandr Belsky, chairman of St. Petersburg Legislative Assembly, said the relationship between Indonesia and Russia are built on a strong foundation of friendship.

Belsky expressed his pleasure visiting Bali and hoped that various cooperation projects could be realised, including in the fields of transportation and culture.

In the meeting, Belsky conveyed an invitation from St. Petersburg's governor to Wayan Koster to attend the official signing of a friendship agreement between the two cities in September or October 2026, coinciding with the parliamentary election in the region.

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Translator: Muliantari, Kenzu

Editor: Fransiska Ninditya

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