VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo inaugurated the first operation of Patimban Seaport in Subang, West Java. He joined the inauguration virtually from the Bogor Palace, West Java on Sunday (20/12). In his remarks, he hopes that the Patimban Seaport will strengthen Tanjung Priok Port in Jakarta that has been crowded and causing traffic jams across Bekasi-Jakarta road.

President further remarked that the Patimban Seaport has strategic location between Kertajati Airport and the industrial complexes in Bekasi, Karawang, and Purwakarta. He believes that Patimban Seaport will be the key inter-regional link and support export acceleration.

Meanwhile, the West Java Provincial Government hopes that the first stage operational of Patimban Seaport will be the pioneer of Patimban city of seaport and industry. That was stated by Governor of West Java,  Ridwan Kamil in his remark at the Patimban Seaport inauguration. He further said that Patimban will be developed into a maritime city. Patimban will also be the pioneer of the Rebana metropolitan area which consists of 13 new industrial cities. The Rebana Triangle consists of Subang, Cirebon, and Majalengka. The maritime industrial city development is predicted to take 30 years until the city is perfectly built. This prediction was based on the success of the Bekasi industrial area.

Governor Ridwan also predicted if the Rebana metropolitan area is successful, there would be 4.3 million jobs in the next 15 years. This area is then expected to contribute economic growth upto 4 percent for West Java.

In the inauguration of Patimban Seaport, President Joko Widodo also witnessed virtually the inaugural export which marked the first operation of Patimban International Seaport in Subang, West Java. It was an export of 140 vehicle units of various brands such as Toyota, Daihatsu, and Suzuki which were carried by MV Suzuka Express bound to Brunei Darussalam. 

On the occasion, the president said that for automotive products, the Patimban Seaport has a great export capacity. However, he also reminded that the Patimban Seaport must also support the export of other products that move the economy. It includes the products of micro small medium enterprises, agriculture, creative industries, and others. This aims to make these products compete in the global market.