DENPASAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Plans for the proposed North Bali Airport were among key topics discussed during a meeting between Bali Governor Wayan Koster and Turkish Ambassador to Indonesia Talip Küçükcan at the Bali Governor’s Office in Denpasar on Wednesday (April 22).
The meeting focused on expanding cross-sector cooperation, particularly in tourism and infrastructure, as both sides explored opportunities to strengthen collaboration beyond central government ties.
Ambassador Talip highlighted the long-standing bilateral relationship between Indonesia and Turkey, noting that cooperation at the national level has been well established. However, he emphasized the need to extend that partnership to regional levels for more practical implementation.
“Indonesia and Turkey have a very strong relationship. At the top level, it is already well established. Now it is important to strengthen implementation at the local level, including between regions,” he said.
Infrastructure development, including the North Bali Airport project, was identified as a potential area for collaboration. Talip noted that Turkish companies have extensive experience in building international airports in various countries, making them relevant partners for Bali’s long-term infrastructure plans.
Tourism remained a central theme in the discussion. Talip pointed to Turkey’s experience in managing large-scale tourism destinations, which attract around 60 million visitors annually. He said Bali, as a global destination, presents strong potential for cooperation in tourism education, knowledge exchange, and sustainable tourism development.
Environmental sustainability was also addressed, including shared concerns over waste management and energy use, as Bali continues to promote environmentally responsible tourism practices.
The meeting also touched on demographic policies. Talip explained that Turkey encourages families to have at least three children. In response, Governor Koster outlined a similar local approach in Bali, including incentives for families with up to four children as part of maintaining demographic balance.
Closing the meeting, Koster expressed appreciation for the exchange of ideas and reaffirmed Bali’s commitment to follow up on potential collaborations, particularly in tourism and strategic infrastructure projects.
“Thank you for this meeting and the valuable exchange of views. Since communication at the central government level is already established, we at the regional level must continue to develop this cooperation, especially in tourism,” Koster said.
The discussion reflects ongoing efforts by the Bali provincial government to strengthen international partnerships that support sustainable tourism growth and future infrastructure development on the island.