The Transfer Of IKN Is Expected To Have A Positive Impact On The Transformation Of The North Penajam Paser Economy

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono (Photo: Doc. VOI)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) as well as Acting Head of the Archipelago Capital Authority (OIKN) Basuki Hadimuljono officially opened the Expo for the Capital Capital of the Archipelago (IKN) 2024 at the Sentik Commander Stadium Complex, North Penajam Paser Regency, East Kalimantan, on Thursday, August 15.

This activity combines exhibitions of multi-product micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), exhibitions of investment potential, regional development forums, workshops to entertainment stages.

Basuki assessed that now is the right time for North Penajam Paser Regency to rise with IKN nearby.

"It's not wrong that North Penajam Paser has the tagline Serambi Nusantara, the main buffer for IKN," he said in a written statement, quoted Friday, August 16.

With the tagline Serambi Nusantara, Basuki said that North Penajam Paser Regency is a food buffer for IKN.

"I know there are Babulu Laut and Babulu Darat here which have the potential for rice fields and may require irrigation," he said.

To support the potential of local agriculture, Basuki has assigned the East Kalimantan River Basin Center (BWS) to conduct a survey of the location of the Talake Dam construction plan.

"In addition, there are also proposals to continue the Balikpapan Bay Bridge construction plan. If we can build this, we can imagine North Penajam Paser as not only a buffer, but also a strategic partner for IKN development," he said.

He hopes that the relocation of the State Capital, which is followed by infrastructure development, will continue to have a positive impact on economic transformation in North Penajam Paser Regency.

"Currently, the economic growth of North Penajam Paser Regency is close to 14 percent or higher than the national average and economic growth in East Kalimantan," concluded Basuki.

As for the IKN Expo 2024, the Ministry of PUPR also provides support by opening exhibition booths that show that information from various basic infrastructures has been completed. Overall, the IKN Expo Penajam Paser Utara Serambi Nusantara 2024 was attended by around 150 stands.