Introductory Remarks of President Joko Widodo at the Limited Cabinet Meeting on the Development Plan of Special Economic Zone in Sorong, at Presidential Office, Jakarta, 14 June 2016
Unofficial English Translation
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
AssalamuÂ’alaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,
The development in the land of Papua, be it in Papua or West Papua, needs to be accelerated. Moreover, developing the land of Papua is not just about strengthening connectivity, such as building roads, bridges, airports, and seaports, but we also need to create industrial zones, centers of economic development in the land of Papua. So, in the future, the ships that support sea toll road can go to or from Papua and fully loaded with products of Papua. Therefore, I want this sea toll road to be thoroughly integrated with industrial zones and centers of production in the land of Papua.
The agenda of the meeting this afternoon concerns acceleration in the preparation of Special Economic Zone (KEK) in the land of Papua, particularly in Sorong, West Papua. I want preparation in all aspects to be ensured, such as location, zonation, land, infrastructure, transportation, as well as institutional matters. Please calculate whether KEK is really necessary in the land of Papua because this will be related to the supply of raw materials in the area.
Secondly, it is certainly related to market and electricity which are also highly important to support the sustainability of the KEK. Therefore, the preparation for the development of a KEK in Sorong should be carefully calculated.
One more thing, we need to consider institutional issues. Our experience in Batam management should be a common reference. I do not want institutional issues to impede the development of KEK. Moreover, the authority of KEK should not overlap with that of the regional government.
That is my introductory remarks. Coordinating Minister, the floor is yours. (Humas Setkab) (AW/YM/Naster)