VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The country's Special Economic Zones are ideal locations for the development of the circular economy, Country Representative for Global Green Growth Institute in Indonesia Marcel Silvius believes.

"A Special Economic Zone is a good place for the circular economy since clusters of companies can use the others' waste, so they can share resources," he said in Jakarta, Thursday. The Special Economic Zones refer to designated areas endowed with geo-economic advantages where special facilities and incentives are extended to attract investments.

A sustainable Special Economic Zone does not merely focus on zero waste practices but also on renewable energy sources, he said.

One of the Special Economic Zones he referred to was Mandalika in West Nusa Tenggara, which is a seeded tourist destination promoted by the Indonesian government as one of the 'Ten New Balis'.

The Institute is currently working with the state-owned Indonesian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) in identifying measures to develop eco-tourism in Mandalika, making the tourism destination sustainable which includes ensuring that energy provision uses renewable sources, Silvius said.

At the moment, the institute is exploring options to make the city of Bitung in North Sulawesi, another Special Economic Zone, more sustainable. That means they are seeking possible investors and conducting feasibility studies in the area, he added.

"We are also looking now into Sei Mangkei in North Sumatra for another sustainability development, especially a hazardous waste treatment plant, as Indonesia only has one such plant in Java," he explained.

The Global Green Growth Institute is an international organization that promotes the development of green growth by working with country members.

Green growth refers to an economic development approach that simultaneously considers the full range of economic, natural and social values to ensure that growth is good for the economy, planet and people. (ANTARA)