Regarding The Potential Of The Sorong SEZ Which Was Almost Revoked, The Minister Of Investment: My Guarantee!

JAKARTA The Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Bahlil Lahadalia visited the location of the Sorong Special Economic Zone (KEK) to discuss further the plan to develop the Sorong SEZ.

In his direction, Bahlil asked the Southwest Papua Provincial Government to be serious in managing the Sorong SEZ so that it can be developed to become the center of economic growth in the Papua region.

Moreover, if there is no development of investment realization in the Sorong SEZ until the end of 2023, then the SEZ status can be revoked by the government.

"SEZ in Sorong has one solution, complete land affairs. Second, inventory of mining business permits that are not optimized. Third, build downstreaming in the SEZ. Create nickel restriction rules so as not to leave Sorong but to be processed in the SEZ. As long as the land issue is resolved, investors will be interested. Don't revoke the SEZ status first. The guarantee, I," said Bahlil, quoted on Saturday, August 5.

Bahlil added that downstreaming is the key to increasing the added value of natural resources owned.

In addition, Bahlil also conveyed the importance of harmony between regional heads in providing direction and policies to technical regional apparatus organizations, especially DPMPTSP as an service that handles licensing and relationships with investors so that it can optimize potential and increase investment realization achievements in Southwest Papua.

Present on the same occasion, Acting Governor Muhammad Musa ad in his speech expressed his highest appreciation for the presence of the Minister of Investment which is an important form of support for the Southwest Papua Province from the central government, especially in encouraging investment. According to Musaad, SEZ Sorong is expected to become the center of the Papua regional economic area and provide benefits for all Papuan lands.

As an entry point to Papua, we hope that there will be an opportunity for Southwest Papua Province to maintain the Sorong SEZ. Because it is impossible for us to accelerate development if it is only based on the APBD. Investment becomes a source of regional income, without investment, it is impossible for us to increase our income," said Musaad.

Based on data from the 2020-2022 Investment Opportunities Map project from the Ministry of Investment/BKPM, there are 3 investment opportunities in Southwest Papua Province with a total investment value of IDR 7.13 trillion. The location of the project includes the Raja Ampat Regency Priority Tourism Destination (DPP), Sorong Special Economic Zone (KEK), and Sorong Port. Sorong SEZ itself has been stipulated through Government Regulation Number 31 of 2016 and has started operating since October 12, 2019.