Moeldoko: The Batam-Bintan Bridge Will Boost Economic Growth

JAKARTA - Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko said that the realization of the Batam-Bintan Bridge construction will boost economic growth around the industrial area and improve welfare in the Riau Islands Province.

Moeldoko when inspecting the location of the Batam-Bintan Bridge project in Batam, Friday, May 28, said that the infrastructure project has also become a National Strategic Project (PSN) in accordance with the 2020-2024 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN).

Therefore, the construction of the bridge, which is located in the Riau Islands Province, will get facilities and facilities.

"So I invite all parties to think ahead, so that in the future the Batam-Bintan Bridge can be used as well as possible to support economic growth, regional development, and most importantly for the welfare of the people in Batam and Bintan and the Riau Islands in general," he said. Moeldoko, quoted from Antara.

According to the mandate of the President, said Moeldoko, the Presidential Staff Office (KSP) will ensure that the Batam-Bintan Bridge construction runs smoothly. If there are obstacles, KSP will solve them quickly and precisely.

"In essence, the government will make every effort to accelerate development, so that the Batam-Bintan Bridge can be immediately built and operational and has a positive impact on the community," he said.

To accelerate development, Moeldoko asked the PUPR Ministry together with the Riau Islands Provincial Government (Pemprov Kepri) to prepare all planning properly, especially regarding the acceleration of licensing and land acquisition.

"Because this is a form of synergy between the central government, regional governments and business entities," said Moeldoko.

Moeldoko also encouraged the cooperation of business entities, both BUMN and private, to invite investors to participate in the Batam-Bintan Bridge Government-Business Entity Cooperation (PPP) auction which will be carried out by the government in the near future.

The Batam-Bintan Bridge is planned to have a length of 14.76 kilometers. This project will require an investment of IDR 13.66 trillion with a construction cost of IDR 9.78 trillion.

The Ministry of PUPR has conducted market sounding assessments to attract potential PPP investors for the Batam-Bintan Bridge Project on April 30, 2020 and May 6, 2021. Currently, the Ministry of PUPR is finalizing the Final Business Case (FBC) and Basic Design.

The Riau Islands Provincial Government will also prepare a proposed location determination (penlok) and KA-ANDAL documents as the party that will carry out land acquisition and management of environmental permits.

In addition, with the PUPR Ministry, the Riau Islands Provincial Government is drafting a Mutual Agreement text regarding the division of responsibilities in the construction of the Batam-Bintan Bridge.

The PUPR Ministry has prepared a proposed document for the construction of the Batam-Bintan Bridge in the 2021 Foreign Loan Priority Plan List (DRPPLN / Green Book) amounting to US $ 300 million or equivalent to Rp.3.34 trillion to provide construction support to improve investment feasibility for PPP investors .