Government Optimistic That Indonesia's Economy Remains Resilience

JAKARTA - Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs as Plt. Secretary General of the National Council for Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Susiwijono Moegiarso, optimism for the Indonesian economy in the future will remain resilient amid uncertainty and a slowdown in the global economy.

According to Susiwijono, economic growth in the range of 5 percent for 8 consecutive quarters from the pandemic and post-pandemic to extraordinary achievements.

In addition, Susiwijono said that this success was supported by low inflation control at the level of 2.61 percent, showing that economic resilience was maintained amidst global dynamics.

"When the world economy is experiencing a slowdown, the Indonesian economy is actually still able to grow in the range of 5 percent, higher than the average developed country & developing country, and with more controlled inflation," said Susiwijono in his official statement, quoted Friday, January 19.

Susiwijono conveyed that various optimism and opportunities must be utilized properly, one of which is by encouraging the development of 20 SEZs as energy and new economic growth centers that have contributed significantly to encouraging regional GDRBs, in various parts of Indonesia.

By the end of 2023, the performance achievements of 20 SEZs have succeeded in contributing investment realization of IDR 177.5 trillion and absorbing 117,492 workers, with 331 business/industrial actors.

Meanwhile, in 2023, investment realization will increase by IDR 66 trillion and the realization of employment will increase by 57,005 people, and the number of business actors will increase by 89 companies/industrials.

In 2024 the SEZ targets additional investment realization of IDR 77.5 trillion and additional employment absorption of 38,277 people.

In 2023, the Secretariat General of the National Council of SEZ in collaboration with the Institute for Economic and Community Research, Faculty of Economics and Business, University of Indonesia (LPEM FEB UI) conducted a study related to the positive impact of SEZ on the regional economy and the national economy.

There are several main conclusions that can be that in general most SEZs develop and perform well or very well, and overall investment in SEZs contribute positively to the economy with trends that tend to increase during the 2019-2023 period.

The industrial SEZ with quite good performance is located or bordered in the Center for Economic Growth (PPE), and has an investor anchor, a good industry/business agglomeration rate, high competitive investment, and better levels of supporting infrastructure availability.

On the other hand, manufacturing SEZs that are in the outermost position or in areas that are currently transforming towards the manufacturing and service sectors, will have high competitiveness if they process natural resources or downstream natural resources.

The existence of national/international events in the tourism-themed SEZ is considered to have a significant impact to accelerate the development of the SEZ, such as in the Lido SEZ, Mandalika SEZ, and Tanjung Lesung SEZ. Meanwhile, SEZs with digital themes and other service activities are able to develop well in the midst of various varied challenges.

"Overall, it can be concluded that investment in SEZs has made a positive contribution to the regional economy and the national economy, with trends that tend to increase during the 2019 2023 period," explained Sesmenko Susiwijono.