As part of Indonesia`s veranda that directly borders neighboring Malaysia, Kaltara is expected to catch up with the economy in other provinces as numerous developments, particularly in infrastructure sector, have been realized before its fifth anniversary on March 22, 2018.
With a great sense of gratitude, North Kalimantan Governor Irianto Lambrie remarked in Tanjung Selor on Monday that in terms of infrastructure development, as many as 55 road construction projects through the regional income and expenditure budgets were realized in 2017.
Regarding the implementation of national strategic projects and priority programs in North Kalimantn, the province has quite abundant potentials that must be used for the greatest benefit of all people.
According to Governor Lambrie, the infrastructure developments that have been realized were the new five-kilometer road from Tana Tidung district to Malinau district, and 28 points of road segment in the Industrial Estate and International Port of Tanah Kuning and Mangkupadi in Bulungan.
Also in Bulungan district were the opening of a three-kilometer national trans road to Tanjung Palas Timur, and the construction of of Sajau-Binai road with two segments namely from Kampung Baru to Karang Tigau, bordering with Berau district in East Kalimantan.
In addition, there were a number of infrastructure projects in Tarakan city, such as Juata Laut ring road to Binalatung.
Other infrastructure development funded by the State Budget through the Special Allocation Funds (DAK) were the road from Long Rungan to Long Padi and Binuang in Malinau District, Long Layu road from Pa`Upan to Long Rungan, and Long Midang road to Long Bawan in Nunukan district.
Governor Lambrie revealed that in addition to the road construction, there were also a number of bridge constructions in the districts of Bulungan and Nunukan, and the city of Tarakan.
Further, the governor explained that the road infrastructure which were completed in Kaltara in 2017 were 28 points in Bulungan district, 17 points in Nunukan district, six points in Tarakan city, two points in Malinau district, and also two points in Tana Tidung district.
With all infrastructure projects completed, the governor expressed hope that North Kalimantan will become an energy conservation province, as it has 1.3 million hectares of conservation forest and 1.6 million hectares of protected forest.
To achieve these goals, the governor highlighted the need to innovate, create, communicate, and expand connectivity by increasing the use of technology to establish synergy by using the capabilities of our human resources.
One of the sectors most likely to grow by applying these steps is tourism, which includes creative economy, by developing the various areas of potential in the sector.
According to Lambrie, Heart of Borneo has been identified as a national strategic area that borders three countries and has become a priority of the government to be developed in accordance with the Government Regulation No. 26 of 2008.
According to the national spatial plan, the National Strategic Area of the "Heart Of Borneo" has a land area spanning 16 million hectares, of which five million hectares is in North Kalimantan Province, or some 22 percent of the total area is marked for the development of the region.
Kaltara is developed by exploiting the natural resources to improve the welfare of the community, and therefore, the Governor Lambrie has invited all parties to utilize the natural resources, which can serve as an energy source to supply electricity to Indonesia.
In addition, Industry Minister Airlangga Hartarto has stated that Kaltara would be developed into a smelting center.
The smelter will be built in North Kalimantan that enjoys a strategic location in terms of sea routes to other continents, such as Australia, Asia, Africa, and North and South America.
Hartarto pointed out that North Kalimantan was still open to the idea of developing industrial centers due to the availability of land. Its geographic location offers a special benefit for the youngest province in the country, he added.
The decision to develop the region into an industrial zone was made, as it was included in the National Industrial Development Master Plan for the 2015-2035 period.
It is also included in the plan for the development of power plants, with a capacity to generate 6,600 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
The minister has remarked that industrial development in the region will cover the Tanah Kuning International Port and Industrial Zone as well as the development of roads, bridges, seaport, and airport.
The Tanah Kuning industrial zone was proposed by the Ministry of Industry and has been approved as a national strategic project.
North Kalimantan is located in the second Indonesian archipelago sea lane, which is an international trading lane and located in the future world economic center and directly facing the neighboring countries.
Right now, the aluminum and bauxite potential in Kalimantan and Indonesia has not been optimally exploited.
Hence, the 6,600-MW power plant project in the district of Bulungan in Kaltara is expected to provide electricity at cheap and competitive rates to industries, especially aluminum and its derivatives, in future.
(T.O001/B/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)
Reporter: Otniel Tamindael
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
