VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Photo credit: kemlu.go.id

Historic Border Run was organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia (KBRI) in Dili, Timor Leste, on Saturday (6/7/2024). They collaborated with the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, the Democratic Government of Timor Leste, and Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), facilitated by Wini Cross-border Post (PLBN).

The Head of Wini post, Don Gaspar, stated that the Indonesian Embassy collaborated with the newly-opened Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI) branch in Oecusse District, and held the Historic Border Run to tighten the bond between Indonesian and Timorese people, especially in Oecusse.

An economic partnership forum meeting between Indonesia and Timor Leste was held before the Border Run. This meeting was attended by the Regional Government of North Central Timor (TTU), Belu, Malaka, South Central Timor (TTS), Kupang, and Yogyakarta.

According to Don Gaspar, the main objective of Historic Border Run is to strengthen the connection between Indonesia-Timor Leste in terms of economy, tradition, culture, and among working staff in the country border area. This will hopefully strengthen the relationship between the two countries to improve their economy.

He added that besides the Historic Border Run, there was also a Cultural Festival in Oecusse as an entertainment activity for both countries. Gaspar also stated that the number of passersby at Wini Cross-border Post increased above average because of this event. This also contributed to improving the local economic activity at Wini post since homestay and food stalls owned by locals gained more consumers.

Initially, Historic Border Run was frequently held by the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy before Covid-19. However, the Covid-19 pandemic spread across the globe at that time forcing this event to stop. The event has just been restarted by the Indonesian Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI), and the Government of Timor Leste.

The Head of Wini Cross-border Post, Don Gaspar and local people in Wini hope more Historic Border Run will be held in the border areas, because the event significantly and indirectly boosted the local economy.