Coordinating Minister Airlangga: SEZ Becomes The Next Government Economic Growth Foundation

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto assessed that the Special Economic Zone (KEK) was the foundation for the next government's economic growth. He mentioned that the government had inaugurated seven new SEZs.

"So with the special economic zone (SEZ), 5-10 years this year we will estimate that the gas (economic growth) will be even faster. Yesterday we finished an additional 7 (SEZ) so that from 22 (SEZ) to 29 (SEZ), and hopefully this can be gaspol," said Airlangga during a press conference in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Wednesday, September 25.

The National Council for Special Economic Zones (KEK) has approved the proposal to form six new SEZs and one expansion of the Nongsa SEZ in Batam.

"All the SEZ proposals will soon be prepared for regulations and we are targeting the relevant Government Regulation (PP) to be completed in the second week of October 2024," Airlangga said at the SEZ National Council Session, Tuesday, September 24.

The National Council will recommend to the President the determination of PP over 6 new SEZs and the addition of area for the Nongsa SEZ.

This step is part of the government's great strategy to encourage investment and regional economic growth.

With a total investment value target of up to IDR 1,089.84 trillion, this SEZ development is expected to be able to create more than 14 million jobs.

The Secretariat General of the National Council for Special Economic Zones (KEK) noted that the realization of SEZ investments from the start until the first semester of 2024 reached Rp205.2 trillion.

Acting Secretary General of the National Council of SEZ Rizal Edwin said that until the first semester of this year, SEZ had absorbed around 132,227 workers.