SEAMEO BIOTROP formalized its partnership with Kepahiang Regency of Bengkulu Province of Indonesia during a signing ceremony of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 1 September 2014 at the Centre’s headquarter in Bogor. The MoU will involve research, training and information exchange activities between parties aimed at developing the economic sector of Kepahiang Regency through the sustainable use and management of its available natural resources.

The government of Kepahiang Regency has already started exploring the potentials of some of its natural resources to improve the welfare of its people since the past five years. However, they still lack the appropriate technical know-how to develop these potentials to the fullest and in a sustainable way. Thus, SEAMEO BIOTROP will extend its technical expertise in forest plantation and nursery management, aquaculture production, and tissue culture techniques for plant propagation.

SEAMEO BIOTROP Director Prof Dr Bambang Purwantara and Kepahiang Regent Mr Bando Amin signed the MoU which is effective until 1 September 2015. The signing ceremony was witnessed by SEAMEO BIOTROP’s deputy directors, department managers, unit supervisors, and scientists, Special Staff of Kepahiang Regency, Heads of Bengkulu Province Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry.