In the case of Natuna, the president stated that the regional government must be able to focus on developing a maritime and fisheries industrial center as well as a gas industrial center.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo stated that the provincial government of Riau Islands must step up the integration of management of a number of districts in the region to increase regional economy.

"We must concentrate on developing each of the big islands in the province, such as Anambas, Natuna, Lingga, Karimun, Bintan, and Tanjung Pinang, into new industrial and tourism centers according to their respective potentials," he stated while opening a cabinet meeting on the evaluation of the implementation of strategic national projects and prioritized programs in the Sumatran province.

The president noted that open unemployment in the region is quite high at 7.69 percent. Hence, the regional government, in cooperation with managing institutions, must be able to maintain economic stability and open industries.

In the case of Natuna, he stated that the regional government must be able to focus on developing a maritime and fisheries industrial center as well as a gas industrial center.

Widodo added that other big islands, such as Karimun, could also develop manufacturing industries.

However, regional development efforts must be carried out integrally from downstream to upstream, he remarked.

He noted that the regional government, in cooperation with the city government and Batam Management Authority, must be able to conduct integrated management of Batam.

"The potential is huge, but indeed in terms of service, a lot of complaints are still heard with regard to land issues," he said, quoting one of the problems in Batam.

Riau Islands governor Nurdin Basirun revealed that he was yet to harmonize coordination to take the advantage of investment potentials in the region.

"Certainly, there are policies that we must offer investors, especially in several zones that we have asked to turn into special economic zones, especially Rempang, Galang, Karimun, as well as Lingga, Natuna, and Anambas," he pointed out after the meeting.

Widodo has also asked a number of ministers to follow up the acceleration process of development of the exclusive zones, he added.

Nurdin admitted that there was still overlapping of authority in Batam that hinders investment.

The provincial government has also raised the issue of management of Batam city, which is not yet synchronized by the city administration and Batam Aithority.

"If this is settled, there will be legal certainty for investment that will enable investors to invest again in Batam and Riau Islands in general," he asserted.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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