It will not only be a lighthouse of civilization, but also a motor for the economy of the people of Lampung.
Lampung (ANTARA) - The integrated Bakauheni Harbor City (BHC) project will not only draw tourists to Lampung Province, but also become an economic driver for the local community, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir has said.

“The work (on the project) is still ongoing. It is our shared hope that BHC will become a prominent tourism destination for Indonesian people. It will not only be a lighthouse of civilization, but also a motor for the economy of the people of Lampung," he remarked in South Lampung District, Lampung Province, on Thursday.

The development of the BHC is still on and in accordance with the determined timeline, he said.

BHC has tremendous tourism potential since it will be connected with other regions on Sumatra Island through the Trans Sumatra Toll Road, so people's mobility to the BHC will continue to increase, he observed.

The government is striving to maintain the country's post-pandemic economic growth while ensuring the sustainability of investment in infrastructure development projects, including in the tourism sector, he said.

He also lauded state-run ferry operator PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) for developing an e-ticketing system, called Ferizy, so passengers now no longer need to queue up when buying tickets to cross from Java Island to Sumatra Island, and vice versa.

People can also better arrange their trips by using the Ferizy online ticket reservation system, Thohir noted.

"With the assistance of SOEs, we expect that economic growth in Lampung can be well maintained," he said.

On the same occasion, President Director of PT ASDP Indonesia Ferry (Persero) Ira Puspadewi said that the current focus of the development of District I of the BHC is the renovation of the Siger Tower and Krakatau Park, whose progress has reached 52 percent and 50 percent, respectively.

"Krakatau Park is targeted to operate in April 2023," she informed.

Furthermore, the development of Siger Terrace in District I of the BHC has also been completed.

The development of Siger Terrace is part of the state-run Bank Tabungan Negara (BTN)’s corporate social responsibility program to help Lampung's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) as well as the community.

There is an open area in District I that can be used for gathering, art performances, as well as practicing sports.

"In addition, there is the MSMEs Plaza as a (MSME) training and exhibition venue with an open area concept equipped with permanent tents and portable seats," the president director informed.

Related news: D+4 peak of returning Eid holiday exodus via Bahaukeni port
Related news: Bakauheni-Bojonegara BBJ Port route readied as alternative crossing



Translator: Agus W S, Emir F S, Uyu S L
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
Copyright © ANTARA 2022