Calculate the Development of Sorong Special Economic Zone, President Instructs

President Jokowi talks with Vice President Jusuf Kalla during a limited meeting on Sorong Special Economic Zone on Tuesday (14/6), at the Presidential Office, Jakarta

The infrastructures development in Papua and West Papua needs to be accelerated, not only by building roads, bridges, airports, and seaports but also by creating industrial zones and centers of economic growth in Papua to distribute Papua’s products in or out the province trough sea tolls.

“Therefore, I instruct all related parties to integrate sea tolls with industrial zones and centers of economic growth in Papua,” President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said in his remarks at a limited meeting on the development of Special Economic Zone (KEK) in Sorong, Papua.

The President instructed all to ensure the preparation of location, zones, areas, infrastructures, transportation, and the institutions in the development of Sorong KEK.

“Please calculate whether developing a KEK in Sorong is necessary or not considering the availability of raw materials in the area,” the President said.

The President also warned all that the market and electricity are also crucial to support the continuation of Sorong KEK. Therefore, he asked to calculate the preparation of Sorong KEK carefully.

“We must refer to the experience in Batam KEK. I want neither institutions hamper the development of KEK nor their authorities overlap with the regional governments,” President Jokowi added.

Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of Industry Saleh Husin, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Trade Thomas Lembong, Deputy Governor of West Papua and Regent of Sorong also attended the meeting. (RMI/FID/RHD) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)