Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Lido Special Economic Zone in Bogor Regency, West Java Province, March 31, 2023

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good morning,

May peace be upon us all.

Distinguished Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly (MPR), Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs, and ministers in attendance,

I also invited Head of the Nusantara Capital Authority to see Lido Special Economic Zone (SEZ),

Chairman of MNC Group Mr. Hary Tanoesoedibjo and his spouse,

Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen whom I cannot name one by one, Governor of West Java, Regent of Bogor, and Mayor of Bogor in attendance,

After strolling around Lido SEZ, I am truly very happy. Why? The infrastructure we have built, be it airports, harbors, toll roads, has brought significant benefits and has been utilized by the private sector to gain economic values.

For example, toll roads. Let me inform you. We have built toll roads in the islands of Java, Sumatra, Kalimantan, Sulawesi. Although they are not complete yet, toll roads should be connected. They should be connected to industrial regions, agricultural regions, plantation regions so that they provide maximum benefit values as we expect. They should also be connected to tourism regions.

Now, let us look at Jagorawi Toll. It has been connected to Bocimi Toll, which Mr. Hary Tanoe leverages for Lido Special Economic Zone. It means that the toll roads also bring economic benefits.

And I am happy to know that in Lido SEZ, there will be a theme park, there will be a Movieland, there will be a water park, there will be a techno park, there will be automotive region. It will have everything. Thus, we hope that none of our people prefer spending vacation abroad to regions within their own country.

Mr. Airlangga stated—the Coordinating Minister stated that 11 millions of our people spend vacation abroad. If we reduce the number by half, there will not be huge foreign exchange outflow for other countries. This is what the Government expects. We hope that the infrastructure that we develop will be optimally utilized by the private sectors for economic benefits.

And yes, this region is only one hour or 50 minutes from Jakarta. Also, if we look that way, there is Mount Pangrango, if we look that way, there is Mount Gede, there is Mount Salak. It is hard to find a place like Lido and I noticed that Mr. Hary Tanoe is sharp.

That concludes my statement and by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning I inaugurate Lido Special Economic Zone in Bogor regency, West Java province, Indonesia.

I thank you.

Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

(DH/MMB)