Indonesia inaugurates new special economic zone in West Papua

The Indonesian government on October 11 officially inaugurated Sorong Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on an area of 523.7 hectares in Sorong district, West Papua province.

Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution (Photo: Antara)

The Indonesian government on October 11 officially inaugurated Sorong Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on an area of 523.7 hectares in Sorong district, West Papua province.

Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution stressed that the newly-established SEZ is projected to spur the local economy in West Papua in addition to the national economy.

Over the past five years, the Indonesian government has established 226 national strategic projects, of which 50 percent will be completed by the end of 2019, the minister noted, adding that one of the projects is the Sorong SEZ in West Papua, which boasts a big industrial estate.

The minister voiced his belief that the development of the Sorong SEZ is part of the Indonesian government’s efforts to encourage investment outside Java Island.

He said that Indonesian President Joko Widodo is keen to witness the involvement of investors in the development of the eastern part of Indonesia, such as West Papua and Papua. Hence, the country can achieve equitable development across all regions.

The development of the Sorong SEZ has been included in the Regional Medium Term Development Plan 2017-2022.

The SEZ is expected to drive the economy in Sorong, with a gross regional domestic product projected to reach 10.64 trillion IDR (nearly 755 million USD) in 2030.

The Sorong SEZ is projected to absorb over 15,000 workers in various industries, including nickel, palm oil, sago, and logistical warehouses.

Widodo announced the project to develop the Sorong SEZ in June 2016. He had pledged to pay more attention to the development of the easternmost region in the country by building roads, bridges, airports and ports, and creating industrial zones and centres of economic growth./.

VNA