VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President, Joko Widodo, inaugurated three Special Economic Zones (SEZs) namely Maloy Batuta Trans Kalimantan, Morotai, and Bitung Special Economic Zones at Sam Ratulangi Airport, Manado City, North Sulawesi on Monday (April1). President Joko Widodo was accompanied by Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister, Darmin Nasution, Cabinet Secretary, Pramono Anung, and Governor of North Sulawesi, Olly Dondokambey.In his remark, President Joko Widodo hoped that through the inauguration of the three Special Economic Zones, various kinds of industry and factories could be established. Thus, the Special Economic Zones can provide plenty of job opportunities for society.In addition to building Special Economic Zones, the government must establish infrastructures to supplement the Special Economic Zones. With proper infrastructures, the products made by the economic zones’ industry could compete with other products. Moreover, the activities of the industry could be more efficient. President Joko Widodo took Bitung-Manado Toll Road as one of the examples of the infrastructures at Bitung Special Economic Zone.President Joko Widodo also hoped that the three special economic zones would support the equalization of development of Eastern Indonesia region such as North Maluku and North Sulawesi. Previously, only raw materials were exported by the industry surrounding the regions. However, through the Special Economic Zones, it is expected that Indonesia would have its own processing industry in various sectors such as fishery, palm oil, plantation products, as well as tourism.The President pointed out that the export of processed products would give additional value for local economy and provide society with plenty of job opportunities. President Joko Widodo also remarked that he would like to return to Manado next September or October, in a bid to inaugurate Manado-Bitung Toll Road.On the same occasion, Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister, Darmin Nasution said that Bitung Special Economic Zone, North Sulawesi, would be operated to attract investors with the main focus on palm oil, fishery, and pharmacy sectors.Furthermore, Morotai Special Economic Zone will focus on the investment of fishery and tourism sectors. Meanwhile, the investment at Maloy Batuta Trans Kalimantan Special Economic Zone will focus on palm oil processing and energy sectors. Minister Darmin elaborated that the investment value at each of the Maloy Batuta Trans Kalimantan and Morotai Special Economic Zones approximately reaches 37 trillion Rupiah. Meanwhile, the investment value at Bitung Special Economic Zone approximately worth 35 trillion Rupiah. Besides the Special Economic Zones, the Indonesian Government has been establishing supporting infrastructures such as Bitung-Manado Toll Road and Bitung Container Port.