30 Dec 2011

Indonesian links with American Samoa extended

2:34 pm on 30 December 2011

Indonesia is exploring trade, educational and cultural relations with American Samoa.

Officials from the Indonesian embassy in Washington D.C. recently spent time in the territory.

First secretaries Cahyo Muzhar and Rizal Wirakara met the governor Togiola Tulafono, and chairman of the Chamber of Commerce, David Robinson.

Mr Muzhar says he hopes it will be the beginning of a healthy relationship extending over a number of areas.

"Indonesia and Samoa, we have an unfortunate experience of the tsunamis that struck our shores. One of our aims is to establish a sister city. A sister city would maybe Samoa with one or two of the provinces in Indonesia that focus on areas of tourism, areas of the fishing industry and other potential areas."