PT IWIP Encourages MSME Progress In North Maluku

Photo: Doc. PT IWIP

JAKARTA - Indonesia Weda Bay Industrial Park (IWIP), as the first integrated nickel Industrial Estate in Indonesia, continues to play an important role in improving the economic welfare of the people of North Maluku. By focusing on developing the mining sector and the processing industry, IWIP is not only the backbone of the economy in the region, but also plays a role in supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

According to a report from the North Maluku Provincial Economy from Bank Indonesia in the November 2023 edition, the province's economic growth in the third quarter of 2023 reached 25.13 percent (yoy), making it the province with the highest economic growth in Indonesia. This achievement, largely, was supported by the mining sector and the processing industry, which was also supported by the realization of nickel ore production that was lost.

As an effort to support government programs in the development of the community's economy, IWIP contributes significantly by encouraging Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Central Halmahera and North Maluku in a Collective manner.

This is also in accordance with the Regulation of the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Number 1 of 2022 concerning Procedures for the Implementation of Partnerships in the Investment Sector between Large Enterprises and MSMEs, which aims to provide equal distribution of opportunities for MSMEs in the regions to collaborate with large businesses (PMA or PMDN).

Since operating in August 2018, IWIP has consistently carried out local labor absorption in stages, in order to support increasing industrial activity. Currently, the Weda Bay Industrial Estate has absorbed more than 70,000 local workers (North Maluku) through direct recruitment, and will continue to grow along with the growth of Industrial Estates. IWIP has targeted 100,000 workers by 2027.

With the increasing number of IWIP workers in the industrial and mining ring areas in the East Halmahera, Central Halmahera, and South Halmahera areas, it will certainly increase the primary needs of the community.

IWIP realizes that the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector has an important role in the national economy, especially in job creation and increasing people's income. Therefore, IWIP has carried out partnership programs & coaching with thousands. MSMEs in various sectors, both the service sector and the trade sector, with a contract value of more than IDR 700 billion over the last 3 years.

"The IWIP partnership program with MSMEs in North Maluku will continue to be carried out, and we hope this can have a good impact on economic growth in North Maluku, especially in Halteng & Haltim," said Director of PT IWIP Scott Ye, in a written statement, Saturday, January 20.

For IWIP's active participation in advancing MSMEs, IWIP has also won a certificate of appreciation from the Ministry of Investment/BKPM for the company's participation in signing a partnership cooperation contract with MSMEs in North Maluku.