NT government signs MOU with West Nusa Tenggara province, Indonesia

The Territory government has taken a step towards a sister partnership with an Indonesian province eyeing off the Top End’s rich critical mineral reserves.

The Territory’s critical mineral, cattle and tourism trade links with our closest overseas neighbour are set to strengthen with the signing of a new agreement.

The NT government on Monday virtually signed a memorandum of understanding with the West Nusa Tenggara provincial government, which marks a step towards a sister province agreement.

It coincidentally comes just a week after Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited Australia for the first time in three years.

Next to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the pair announced Indonesians seeking to do business in Australia would be granted longer visas, up from three years to five.

Mr Widodo also spoke of ambitions of a jointly-produced EV battery industry, using Indonesia’s nickel and Australia’s lithium.

Northern Australia and Trade Minister Nicole Manison said as well as Indonesia being the Territory’s largest cattle trading partner, the archipelago was becoming increasingly interested in the Top End’s critical minerals.

The NT government has signed a MOU with West Nusa Tenggara province in Indonesia, with Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and Northern Australia and Trade Minister Nicole Manison in attendance. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

“We already have those 15 proven critical minerals and those 13 prospective ones here in the Northern Territory,” she said.

“We’re working really hard to make sure that when investors from overseas, looking to Australia as a place where they want to develop their critical minerals, they don’t just look to Western Australia or to Queensland, that they’re looking here.”

Ms Manison said Indonesia was a high priority market having the world’s fourth largest population and one of the globe’s fastest growing economies.

“Today’s agreement is all about building on those strong ties and to create new opportunities into the future, socially and economically.”

The MOU was signed by Chief Minister Natasha Fyles and West Nusa Tenggara Governor Zulkieflimansyah in a virtual ceremony on Monday. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Two-way trade missions, training scholarships, tourism and biosecurity capability are some key areas the MOU aims to build on.

Indonesia’s Darwin consul Gulfan Afero said the agreement with the Territory government – the first of its kind – was a “milestone”.

“We also encourage the NT government to have the same memorandum of understanding with other provinces in Indonesia,” he said.

Mr Afero said Kupang city and the City of Darwin were also close to signing an MOU, with both parties seeking a sister city partnership.