Dualism in Authority and Management of BBK Free Trade Zone Should Be Settled: President Jokowi

President led a limited meeting on Batam management at Presidential Office, Jakarta (19/1)

President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo said that dualism in the authority and the management between Batam regional government and Batam Industrial Development Authority (BP Batam) should be settled as it could bring impacts to legal certainty for investors, provision of infrastructures, delay in the issuance of permits, and matters related to workforce.

“I want those problems to be addressed,” said President Jokowi in his opening remarks before a limited meeting on Batam, Bintan, and Karimun (BKK) Free Trade Zone at Presidential Office, Jakarta on Tuesday (19/1).

At the meeting, the President also reminded that it is now the era of competition; thus breakthrough measures are needed to revitalize a number of Special Economic Zones (KEK) in Indonesia, both the ones in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun and in other regions.

“All Special Economic Zones must have their own attractiveness, competitiveness, and edge” the President said.

Therefore, President Jokowi said that the Government must make bold moves to address problems and to overcome the barriers that make it difficult for those KEK to be built and developed well.

Also attending the meeting were Vice President Jusuf Kalla, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Resources Rizal Ramli, Minister of Home Affairs Tjahjo Kumolo, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Chief of Staff Teten Masduki, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Sofyan Djalil, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of National Land Agency (BPN) Ferry M. Baldan, and  Minister of Transportation Ignasius Jonan.  (DND/UN/ES) (EP/YM/Naster)