BIOTROP welcomed New Zealand’s Ambassador to Indonesia, HE Dr Trevor Matheson, for a half-day visit on 27 January 2016. The visit was part of the Ambassador’s personal mission to promote New Zealand and explore collaborations with relevant institutions around Indonesia through the embassy in Jakarta.

BIOTROP Director Dr Irdika Mansur briefed the Ambassador on the Centre’s programs and activities and suggested collaborative options in research and capacity building between the Centre and the New Zealand Embassy in Indonesia as well as academic institutions in New Zealand.  The Ambassador also observed actual activities at the Centre’s hydroponic greenhouse, mushroom production barn and tissue culture laboratory.

After the briefing and tour, HE Dr Matheson said that he would send his experts team from the Embassy to BIOTROP soon to discuss in concrete terms collaborative options towards improving livelihood and welfare of Indonesians.

“I look forward to having collaborative programs for sustainable development in Indonesia and New Zealand with relevant partners like BIOTROP,” the Ambassador added.

Before visiting the Centre, the Ambassador also met with the Rector of Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) and the Mayor of Bogor City. He was accompanied by his wife, Madame Nuannit Matheson.