The partnership was marked by MoU signing ceremony, signed by Rector of ITB, Prof. Dr. Ir. Kadarsah Suryadi, DEA., and Regent of Kuantan Singingi, Drs. Mursini, M.Si., at Execeutive Meeting Room A, ITB Rector Building, on Thursday (25/10/2018).

In his remark, Regent of Kuantan Singingi said that his region possesses abundance of economic potential such as agriculture and tourism. But it still requires good regulation in its management. In Singingi, the people work mainly as paddy and palm farmer. The region is also blessed with great scenery.

“Our region is hilly terrain and fertile. The people mainly work in agriculture with paddy and palm as the main commodity. It is in accordance with our vision to improve agriculture and tourism-based economy,” said Mursini.

For its tourism potential, Singingi has waterfall, Pacu Jalur Festival which is the local festival in Kuantan River. The region also has a lake that can be managed as a good tourism spot. Through this partnership with ITB, the regent hopes all those potentials can be developed.

Rector of ITB welcomes the partnership and expressed his sincere thanks to Kuantan Singingi Regency for choosing ITB as the partner. “ITB is not only for ITB, but also for the people and the country, including Kuantan Singingi Regency,” said the rector.

The rector further explained that Singingi Regency has lots of economic potentials because it has palm plantations and coal, manganese, and even gold mines.

The palm can be processed into biodiesel because ITB has developed a catalyst to process palm oil into biodiesel. “We support the programs. This is our direction to enter new and renewable energy aspect,” said the rector.

Meanwhile, Ir. Ina Herliana Koswara M.Sc, as the Head of Center for Tourism Planning and Development of ITB said that the partnership is expected to exist more than just in tourism.

“We do not only offer (partnership) in tourism. There are many more. So, the MoU is expected to be more than covering tourism,” said Ina.

Ina said that the next step after MoU signing is yet to be carried out because the detailed plan should be arranged first.