"By saying `Bismillah` (in the name of God), I launched the JIIPE in Gresik, East Java," he noted at the ceremony.
Highlighting the project`s potential to create significant employment opportunities, President Jokowi warned of the emergence of the licensing issue.
JIIPE sits on a 1,760-hectare plot of land and has a supply of 23 megawatts of electricity.
The industrial zone also has a water treatment plant, a gas pipe network connected with the state-owned Perusahaan Gas Negara network, fiber optic telecommunication system, internet broadband, and a port.
"I hail PT JIIPE`s cooperation with Islamic boarding schools. I laud it and hope that the idea would be emulated by others. Ask the schools what type of human resources are available there. Recruit them all and train them in operating computers or modern machinery," he remarked.
President Jokowi expressed belief that Islamic boarding school students in Gresik and its surrounding areas would become skilled workers to be employed in the zone.
"I think our students are smart, but the most important aspect is their good behavior, and they are also easy to manage," he explained.
President Jokowi also praised JIIPE, which is integrated with a port and has a power plant.
JIIPE is divided into several areas covering a port estate; heavy, medium, and light industries; as well as commercial, port, and residential areas and is expected to be able to accommodate some 183 industries and absorb investment worth Rp83.2 trillion.
So far, eight companies have already invested there, of which two have become operational, two others are still in the process of completing the construction of plants, while four others will start construction soon.
Several infrastructure facilities still need to be improved, including expanding the Daendels road and connecting the railway line from Duduk Sampeyan Station to JIIPE and the Krian-Legundi-Bunder-Manyar toll road to JIIPE.
Reported by Desca Lidya Natalia
(H-YH/INE)
(T.SYS/B/KR-BSR/A014)
Reporter: SYSTEM
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
