IKN Authority invites the public to use rattan to gain business opportunities

JAKARTA - The Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN) invites the public to seize business opportunities by utilizing rattan as a wealth of Non-Wood Forest Products (HHBK) in Sepaku District, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan.

"The public is invited to utilize the potential of rattan in Sepaku District, which can open up business opportunities," said Director of Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy of the IKN Authority, Muhsin Palinrungi, as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, April 15.

The IKN Authority not only builds physical infrastructure, but also strengthens the economic foundation of the community based on local culture, towards an inclusive, productive, and sustainable ecosystem.

"Rotan is developed as a creative economic commodity in IKN," he said.

"The rattan craft products in Sepaku District are part of efforts to develop local businesses, he continued, to preserve local culture and improve the economy of the people.

The IKN Authority held rattan weaving and wood carving training for representatives from each sub-district in the IKN delineation area, to open new business opportunities for the community while strengthening the preservation of local culture.

"It is hoped that the training provided can be a step in preserving local culture," explained Muhsin Palinrungi, while encouraging the birth of new creative economic actors in the IKN area.

Currently, rattan can be found in deeper forest areas, one of which is around the Gunung Parung natural forest, about 12 kilometers from Sepaku Village, and the potential rattan available in the area around the IKN has not been optimally utilized.

The community who attended the training stated that the training held by the IKN Authority can be a trigger for local residents to process this potential into economically valuable products.