House Encourages Global Cooperation to Boost Economy of West Java's Garut Regency

RRI.CO.ID, Garut – Garut Regency in West Java is considered to have historical significance and very strong economic potential to be promoted to the global level. This emerged during a meeting of the House of Representatives' Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Agency (BKSAP) in Garut Regency, West Java, on Thursday, August 6, 2026.

Deputy chairperson of the agency, Muhammad Husein Fadlulloh, emphasized that parliamentary diplomacy should not only focus on global issues, but must also have a real impact on the development agenda at the regional level.

"This region has long attracted other nations for its tourism, leather craft products, plantation and agricultural commodities, and natural resources. And this is certainly a crucial development asset for this region, long known as the Swiss van Java," Husein said while leading a discussion with the local officials.

Husein explained that the House has various diplomatic channels that Garut can utilize. Through bilateral cooperation, the House's current period oversees at least 102 bilateral cooperation groups with parliaments of friendly countries, considered effective to identifying opportunities and directly promoting regional potential.

One example where Garut Regency can optimize international cooperation is the skilled labor sector. He specifically mentioned the barber industry, known as "Asgar" barber, meaning Asli Garut (Authentic Garut).

"The need for skilled workers abroad is very wide open. Garut has the unique skills of Asgar barbers, which are much needed by friendly countries. This can be an added value for people who work abroad, earn foreign exchange, and bring home new skills to develop their hometowns," Husein said.

He also added that Garut has immense potential in natural resources and handicrafts, ranging from vetiver oil and coffee to leather crafts and batik. Therefore, he encouraged the addition of value to these products.

On the same occasion, another House member, Gilang Dhielafararez, said that he was impressed by the cool atmosphere, friendliness, typical culinary delights, and the potential for unique commodities in Garut, such as vetiver oil, which he considered to have great potential for development. Therefore, he believes that Garut has strong capital to become a national and international tourism and economic darling again.

"Garut has an extraordinary history. It was once visited by world figures like Charlie Chaplin. This means that Garut was a favorite in its time... We want to hear directly from the region's aspirations so that Garut can become even more powerful and competitive, both nationally and internationally," Gilang said.

Gilang further emphasized the importance of synergy between the Garut Regency government and the House in mapping and executing regional economic potential, including optimizing local workforce absorption. Furthermore, the importance of Garut's readiness is highlighted in welcoming future infrastructure connectivity, such as future toll road access that will directly connect Garut to accelerate mobility and economic growth.

"Added to the future direct toll road access to Garut, mobility will be much faster. This momentum must be maximized together through ongoing collaboration," he said.