Danish Ambassador Visits IKN To Prepare Investment For Supporting Areas

Danish Ambassador to Indonesia HE Sten Frimodt Nielsen directly inspected the construction site of the capital city of Nusantara (IKN). (Special)

JAKARTA - The Danish Ambassador to Indonesia HE Sten Frimodt Nielsen visited East Kalimantan. He and his entourage wanted to take a closer look at the new capital of Indonesia in the capital city of the archipelago (IKN).

"Today we have the arrival of the Danish Ambassador and the team. They want to explore Denmark's investment and contribution to IKN," said Akmal Malik on the sidelines of hosting Danish Ambassador HE Sten Frimodt Nielsen's lunch.

Denmark deliberately entered IKN through the East Kalimantan Provincial Government with the aim of seeing the extent of the readiness of the buffer zone.

Denmark, which is far in Europe, even hopes that there will be no gap or disparity between IKN and the buffer zone.

"This Danish is amazing. They even thought about it that far. Do not let there be a gap or disparity between the new capital and the buffer zone," said Akmal.

Before bad conditions occur, for example, there is an imbalance between IKN and the buffer zone, Denmark will help by sharing input and thoughts about how the buffer zone should take on a role.

Indeed, Denmark has no experience related to new capital.

But regarding equitable development, Denmark cannot be doubted.

In addition, the Danish government is also ready to help East Kalimantan, especially in environmental affairs and issues.

"So today they will look first at IKN. That's why I accompanied them. Hopefully they can help us to reduce that gap," explained Akmal.

The disparity or gap that is feared is certainly not far from social, economic and cultural affairs. Meanwhile, the IKN buffer areas include Balikpapan, Samarinda, Kutai Kartanegara, Penajam Paser Utara and Paser.

In the long term, all regencies and cities in East Kalimantan will automatically become IKN buffer zones.

To the Director General of Regional Autonomy of the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ambassador HE Sten Frimodt Nielsen also asked about the readiness of the latest East Kalimantan and IKN infrastructure. They also asked about the original population and the general condition of East Kalimantan.

Acting Governor Akmal Malik said that among the provinces in Kalimantan, which are planned to become a new capital (new capital), only East Kalimantan has more complete infrastructure.

There is Sultan Aji Muhammad Sulaiman Sepinggan International Airport Balikpapan and APT Pranoto Airport in Samarinda.

Two international ports are also available in Balikpapan and Samarinda. East Kalimantan is also the only province in Kalimantan that already has a toll road, namely the Balikpapan-Samarinda toll road.

Acting Governor Akmal Malik also offered a visit to the Pampang Cultural Village in Samarinda to witness the lives of Dayak residents and cultural customs, but they were limited in visiting time.

At IKN the Danish Ambassador HE Sten Frimodt Nielsen and his entourage visited three locations.

Pertama mereka mengunjungi Rumah Teknologi Nusantara yang merupakan destinasi wisata yang menjelaskan konsep dan perkembangan IKN.

The second location, they saw close to the plan for a diplomatic compound. And in the third location, the Danish Ambassador's entourage visited the Tropical Rain Forest Miniature, which is located in one area with the IKN glamping location.

Acting Governor of East Kalimantan Akmal Malik explained that he accompanied the visit of the Danish Ambassador as part of the East Kalimantan Provincial Government facilitation to representatives of friendly countries in Indonesia.

"So in the future we will always facilitate so that we can help anyone who will contribute to IKN," said Akmal.