Borneo Economic Community Agreed on, Encouraging Economic Growth in Kalimantan

Governor of North Kalimantan (Kaltara) Zainal A. Paliwang and Chairman of the Kaltara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) attended Borneo Business Roundtable at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta/PHOTO IST

JAKARTA - As part of the 2023 ASEAN Summit, the Governor of North Kalimantan (Kaltara) Zainal A. Paliwang and the Chairman of the Kaltara Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) attended the Borneo Business Roundtable at the Sultan Hotel, Jakarta.

The Borneo Business Roundtable is a forum for the Initiative of the ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) of Indonesia and Brunei Darussalam to Encourage Trade and Investment in Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak and Labuan.

Chairperson of ASEAN-BAC Indonesia, M Arsjad Rasjid Opened the Forum which was attended by Chairperson of ASEAN-BAC Brunei Darussalam, Puan Haslina Taib, and Deputy Investment and Funding of the IKN Authority (OIKN), Agung Wicaksono.

The Forum agreed on private sector cooperation in Kalimantan, Sabah, Sarawak, Labuan and Brunei Darussalam, to form the Borneo Economic Community (BEC).

"We have agreed on cooperation with the private sector. Now this agreement creates what is known as the Borneo Economic Community," Arsjad explained, quoted on Thursday, September 7.

It is known that the relocation of the national capital to East Kalimantan is something that local governments around it cannot ignore, including North Kalimantan, which has great potential to grow the people's economy.

Arsjad explained that IKN, which will be inaugurated on August 17 2024, to coincide with the Republic of Indonesia's 79th anniversary, will be the future capital of Indonesia. IKN is planned as an inclusive, green and sustainable city.

Meanwhile, the Governor of North Kalimantan really appreciates the collaboration that has been established because it has many benefits for the community.

"I really appreciate this activity, hopefully it will bring prosperity and progress, especially to the Kalimantan Island region," said Zainal.

The Governor of Kaltara said that this cooperation would not stop at the ASEAN Summit but would soon be continued with other stakeholders in November in Pontianak, as a form of seriousness in economic development on the island of Kalimantan.