Raja Ampat, Papua Barat Daya (ANTARA) - The Nusantara Capital Authority (OIKN) has expected local business actors to become the main driving force of the economy of the Nusantara Capital City (IKN).

"Our regulations have reduced taxes for local SMEs. This is intended, so that local business actors become the main actors in driving the economy in the archipelago," Head of OIKN Bambang Susantono said in a OIKN statement received here on Friday.

Susantono also highlighted that the government had provided ease of investment for local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and will be the main focus in the Indonesian economic ecosystem in the future.

Nusantara, as a livable city, needs to present a social attraction area that covers the varied needs of the people of Nusantara in future, he said.

A step towards fulfilling one of the goals was carried out through the groundbreaking of the BSH Community Hub in the IKN area. Later, the BSH Community Hub will accommodate social needs, such as hotels, restaurants, apartments, and food centers in Nusantara.

President Joko Widodo has lauded the steps taken by PT Karya BSH Mandiri to build a community center in Nusantara.

He emphasized that for a local Small and Medium Enterprise (SME), it makes taxes and permits easier.

The president also supports the move to build three-star hotels as a diversification step, with the hope that it will not only be the big ones who invest.

President Commissioner of PT Karya BSH Mandiri, Haryadi, was quoted as saying in a OIKN statement on Thursday (December 21) that construction of the community center will be covered in two stages.

"The investment value of PT Karya BSH Mandiri for this IKN project will be Rp370 billion, which is divided into two stages. We also hope to be able to complete the project before August 17, 2024," Haryadi said.

PT Karya BSH Mandiri, according to the statement, will invest a total of Rp370 billion (around US$23.8 million) on this 1.7-hectare plot of land, comprising Rp140 billion for Phase One.

Phase One includes the Three Stars BSH Qubika Hotel, with an investment value of Rp100 billion, and a conference hall, with an investment value amounting to Rp30 billion, and investment worth Rp10 billion for the Kampung Kecil Restaurant.

For Phase Two, investment worth Rp230 billion covers apartments, with an investment value of Rp200 billion, and a food court, with investment worth Rp30 billion.

The hotel and restaurant are targeted to be ready in six months, starting from January 2024 so as to become operational before the flag ceremony on August 17, 2024.

The company will rope in as much staff as possible from around the project and native Kalimantan residents in a bid to absorb a workforce of up to one thousand people.

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Translator: Aji Cakti, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Tia Mutiasari
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