Coordinating Minister Airlangga Optimizes Special Economic Zones To Achieve 8 Percent Economic Growth

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the government would optimize the Special Economic Zone (KEK) to achieve Indonesia's economic growth target of 8 percent.

To note, SEZs in Indonesia are regulated through the issuance of Law Number 39 of 2009 concerning Special Economic Zones.

To date, a total of 24 SEZs have shown positive achievements and recorded cumulative investment realizations of IDR 242.5 trillion by absorbing 151,000 workers.

"Many jobs have also been achieved from the SEZ for this year, 242.5 trillion investments have entered with 151 thousand workers with 394 rather than business actors," he said at the Indonesia SEZ Business Forum 2024, Monday, December 9.

Airlangga said that until now Indonesia has had 24 special economic zones, namely the manufacturing sector, the digital economy, health, education.

According to Airlangga, special economic zones can be maximized, because SEZs have obtained several conveniences and also priorities in producing foreign exchange.

Airlangga said the government would continue to improve special economic zones, one of which is a special economic zone in the tourism sector which will continue to make improvements in terms of access so that it can encourage increasing tourists to several tourist areas.

"For example, Bangka Belitung, which requires access rather than regional flights, and the President has given directions that the regional flight should be opened because it is a very strategic location. Likewise, several other tourist targets including Labuan Bajo, including in the Mandalika area, Lombok. So some access from international aircraft to be able to enter directly," he explained.