Government Builds Algorithm Hill Worth IDR 18 Trillion, Sandiaga Uno: Must Pay Attention To Social Impact

Silicon Valley. (Photo: By courtesy)

JAKARTA - The Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno, admitted that he had just heard of the plan to build a technology, industry, and research center for Algorithm Hill in Sukabumi, which is being discussed as an Indonesian-style Silicon Valley. If the plan is realized, Sandiaga asks this project to pay attention to various social aspects.

"It must be ensured that the aspects of social impact and governance can be guarded together", he said in a virtual press conference, Monday, April 19.

According to Sandiaga, the construction of Algorithm Hill will produce technology products that can support economic growth centers. Also, Algorithm Hill will have an impact on tourism growth. Moreover, in the area around the construction site Cikidang, there are geopark tourist destinations that have been recognized by UNESCO.

Also, Sandiaga advised that Algorithm Hill developers who are proposing their area as a Special Economic Zone meet the prerequisites of the Council.

"I see there are those who say that some data still have to be concretized and submitted to the Council of Special Economic Zone so that the process can be reviewed to enter the next level", he said.

In the initial stage, the construction of Algorithm Hill requires an investment of IDR 18 trillion. Investors from a country in North America are said to have committed to investing. Related to this, Sandiaga said this was a positive step.

"In a difficult time there are investors who want to invest IDR 18 trillion, we must appreciate it. However, it must be ensured that the aspects of social impact and governance can be guarded together. We are in principle ready if this is the targeted tourism area", he said.

For your information, a duplicate of Silicon Valley has emerged in Indonesia. Several locations that had been predicted to become Indonesia's Silicon Valley include Malang, Yogyakarta, BSD Serpong, and Batam.

Most recently, the Sukabumi Algorithm Hill appeared, which was developed by a state-owned construction company, PT Amarta Karya (Persero). This Indonesian-style Silicon Valley development is estimated to cost up to 1 billion euros, or the equivalent of IDR 18 trillion.

"This area will become one of the centers for the development of advanced innovation and technology, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, drones, to solar panels for clean and environmentally friendly energy", said the President Director of PT Amarta Karya (Persero), Nikolas Agung.

888 hectares of land Cikidang and Cibadak, Sukabumi was chosen as the location for Algorithm Hill. The initial development stage is estimated to take three years.

Algorithm Hill is expected to become a center for research and technology development, as well as a center for human resource development in the future. In particular, for the development of technology and industry 4.0.