Gov’t Forms Sugar, Bioethanol Self-Sufficiency Task Force in Merauke

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In a bid to accelerate the implementation of investment in sugar cane plantations integrated with the sugar and bioethanol industries, as well as biomass power generation plant, the Government formed a Task Force for the Acceleration of Sugar and Bioethanol Self-Sufficiency in Merauke regency, South Papua province.

The formation of task force which also aimed at facilitating business permit for business actors in that area is stipulated in Presidential Decree Number 15 of 2024 which was signed by President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo on April 19, 2024.

The formation is also an implementation of Presidential Regulation Number 40 of 2023 on the Acceleration of National Sugar Self-Sufficiency and the Provision of Bioethanol as Biofuel as well as President Jokowi’s directives in internal cabinet meeting on the Acceleration of Sugar and Bioethanol Self-Sufficiency on December 12, 2023.

The Task Force is chaired by Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board with Minister of the Environment and Forestry as well as Minister of Agrarian Affairs and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency as the deputy chairs.

The Task Force also consists of members, implementing members, and a secretariat. The Governor of South Papua and the Regent of Merauke are among the implementing members.

The Task Force is having duties as follows:

1. create an inventory list, identify problems, and collect data as well as documents needed to accelerate sugar and bioethanol self-sufficiency;
2. ensure the availability of land suitable for sugar cane commodities;
3. coordinate the completion of land administration for land acquired through the forest area release mechanism and/or land acquisition mechanism;
4. facilitate business actors in meeting basic requirements and business permits to accelerate the construction and development of sugar cane plantations integrated with the industry;
5. assist the provision of investment facilities needed by business actors to accelerate the construction and development of sugar cane plantations integrated with the industry along with its supporting facilities and infrastructure;
6. carry out coordination and create a synergy among ministries/institutions and regional governments to accelerate the granting of business permits and provision of investment facilities needed by business actors to accelerate the construction and development of sugar cane plantations integrated with industry along with its supporting facilities and infrastructure; and
7. assist ministries/institutions, regional governments, and business actors in empowering local communities around sugar cane plantation locations integrated with the industry.

“All costs required to carry out the duties of the Task Force are sourced from the State Budget of Ministry of Investment/Investment Coordinating Board and/or other legitimate sources in accordance with the provisions of laws and regulations,” the Presidential Decree reads. (UN) (GWH/RAS/LW)