Makassar, August 21, 2026 — The Europe Today: Indonesia and the Netherlands have taken steps to strengthen bilateral relations with the establishment of a Dutch honorary consulate in Makassar, South Sulawesi, opening a new chapter in cooperation with Indonesia’s eastern regions.
Dutch Honorary Consul for Sulawesi Osco Olfriady Letunggamu said the newly inaugurated consulate would play an active role in expanding bilateral cooperation by promoting the potential and strengths of Sulawesi across various sectors.
He said economic cooperation would focus particularly on agriculture, energy, maritime affairs and water management.
The two sides also plan to expand cooperation in higher education and cultural activities to strengthen people-to-people ties.
Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Indonesia Adriaan Palm officially inaugurated the honorary consulate in Makassar on August 18.
Palm said the Netherlands had identified three priority areas for its engagement in Makassar: economic cooperation, culture and people-to-people relations.
He also announced plans to gradually introduce a visa-at-your-doorstep service in Makassar, enabling residents of Sulawesi to apply for Dutch visas without having to travel to Jakarta, Bali or Surabaya.
Palm further highlighted the European Union-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement as an important foundation for expanding trade and investment relations between Indonesia and the European Union.
He noted that the Netherlands is currently Indonesia’s eighth-largest investor.
Makassar Deputy Mayor Aliyah Mustika Ilham welcomed the establishment of the honorary consulate and expressed hope that it would create broader opportunities for cooperation in the economy, education, culture, tourism and other sectors.
She said the consulate’s presence in Makassar was strategically important given the city’s role as a gateway to eastern Indonesia.
“The Makassar municipal government welcomes the establishment of the Honorary Consulate of the Kingdom of the Netherlands for Sulawesi. We hope this office will help strengthen ties and open up cooperation opportunities for the benefit of our people,” she said.
The establishment of the honorary consulate is expected to facilitate closer engagement between Indonesia and the Netherlands while promoting investment, educational exchanges, cultural cooperation and other partnerships across Sulawesi.
