Netherlands opens honorary consulate in Makassar to boost Sulawesi ties

The Kingdom of the Netherlands has officially established an honorary consulate for Sulawesi in Makassar, South Sulawesi. The move aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the Netherlands and Indonesia, specifically targeting the eastern regions of the Indonesian archipelago.

Dutch Honorary Consul for Sulawesi, Osco Olfriady Letunggamu, stated that the consulate will act as a bridge to connect Sulawesi's potential with Dutch networks, technology, and investment opportunities. Economic focus areas include agriculture, energy, maritime affairs, and water management. Additionally, the mission seeks to enhance people-to-people connections through higher education and cultural exchanges.

Adriaan Palm, Deputy Head of Mission at the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia, inaugurated the office on August 18. He announced plans to introduce a ‘visa-at-your-doorstep’ service in Makassar, allowing local residents to apply for Dutch visas without traveling to Jakarta, Bali, or Surabaya. Palm also noted that the Netherlands is currently the eighth-largest investor in Indonesia and highlighted the EU–Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as a foundation for future trade expansion.