TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The United States' government has expressed its interest in developing Padan into a Smart City. US Ambassador Robert O. Blake stated that the US is focusing its attention on developing research and technology in several countries, including Indonesia.
"Developments of information and technology is important to the management of a city, we are ready to cooperate." said Blake on Tuesday, June 23, 2015. Blake also mentioned that it would be appropriate to devlop smart city concept in develped cities, such as Padang.
Last year, the US' investment value in Indonesia had declined. In fact, the country is no longer one of the top five biggest investors in Indonesia. Blake said that the decline due to the cancelation of many construction plans as a result of changes in the Indonesian government.
Blake promised to improve cooperation with Indonesia, not only in the development of smart city but also in several other sectors.
The mayor of Padang Mahyeldi Ansharullah said that the Padang regional government had prioritized the development of smart city to develop technology and information-based city management system.
