Hawaii Governor Linda Lingle Meets with Indonesian Leaders to Discuss Business and Disaster Preparedness Partnerships 

Governor Linda Lingle marked an official trip to Indonesia with an agreement to help strengthen Indonesia ’s tsunami warning capacity, inaugurating a new program between the Ministry of Defense and the Hawaii State National Guard, and hosted a woman’s leadership forum as a prelude to International Women’s Leadership Conference in Honolulu . The Governor discussed the highlights of her visit at a news conference at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Jakarta today.

“ Indonesia and the State of Hawaii share common goals of economic prosperity and a safe and secure world in the 21st century,” Lingle said. “My office mission highlights Hawaii ’s strong interest in working closely with Indonesia to help promote the security, health, business, economic development, and progress of the entire Asia-Pacific region.”

During her three-day visit to Indonesia , Governor Lingle met with Vice President Jusuf Kalla Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono, and other senior leaders to discuss opportunities for mutual cooperation on a variety of issues related to security, stability and economic prosperity.

Governor Lingle’s delegation included Hawaii National Guard Adjutant General Major General Robert Lee; and representatives from Hawaii’s Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; the Department of Health; Pacific Tsunami Warning Center; University of Hawaii, East-West Center; the Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies; and Hawaii House of Representatives. Members of Governor Lingle’s delegation participated in the meetings with Indonesian officials to share information and explore potential partnerships related to investment and trade, education and disaster preparedness.

On Monday, Governor Lingle and Defense Minister Juwono Sudarsono announced a joint National Guard State Partnership Program (SPP) between Indonesia and Hawaii at the Ministry of Defense in Jakarta . On Tuesday, she toured the BMG Tsunami Early Warning Center . Today, she hosted a forum with women leaders to get their views on issues and challenges Indonesian women face. The Governor will host the Fourth Annual International Women’s Leadership Conference in Honolulu on September 25.

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