Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia on Soft Launching and Initial Operation of Patimban International Port Sunday, 20 December 2020 from Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.

Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace be upon us all,

Om Swastiastu,

Namo Buddhaya,

Greetings of virtue.

Distinguished Ambassador of Japan for Indonesia and Ambassador of Indonesia for Japan,

Distinguished Minister of Transportation, Cabinet Secretary,

Distinguished Governor of West Java province, Regent of Subang, and West Java’s Regional Leaders Coordination Forum,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

In the midst of the current pandemic, the Government has completed one of the National Strategic Projects (PSN), namely the construction of the first phase of the Patimban Port. This project plays an important and strategic role to improve the economy in West Java province and the national level and also serves to support the Jakarta’s Tanjung Priok Port which is currently overloaded and has caused traffic congestion on the Bekasi-Jakarta national road.

With its strategic location between Kertajati Airport and industrial estates in Bekasi, Karawang and Purwakarta, I believe the Patimban Port will be a key link between regions, such as manufacturing, tourism and agricultural centers, as well as supporting the acceleration of exports.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have received a report that phase I of the port is ready to serve 3.75 TEUs of containers and it will be increased to seven million TEUs in the third phase. With a car terminal capacity of 218,000 CBU cars and later to 600,000 vehicles, it will increase Indonesia’s automotive exports to the global market.

However, I remind you that the Patimban Port must also support the export of other products that drive the economy of MSMEs, agricultural and creative industries, as well as other sectors so that they are able to compete in the global market.

For that reason, I order ministers, governors, regents, mayors, and related officials to collaborate with MSME business actors, cooperatives and private companies to maximize the infrastructure that the Government has built to stimulate the economy and improve the welfare of our people.

The Patimban port must be supported with industrial development and the local economy, accelerate the growth of new economic centers and provide speedy services in the logistics sector, and make our export products more efficient and more competitive in the global market.

That concludes my remarks. And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, I hereby declare that Patimban Port is ready for operation.

I thank you.

Wassalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.

Om Santi Santi Santi Om,

Namo Buddhaya.

Translated by Estu Widyamurti

Reviewed by M. Ersan Pamungkas