"Ideally, we want to develop one SEZ in each province. Thus, we must have 38 SEZs," he told the press after inaugurating the Batang Industropolis SEZ in Batang, Central Java, on Thursday, according to a voice recording received here.
The President lauded the Batang Industropolis SEZ, which, he said, has very good development planning.
He highlighted that many large companies are already involved at the SEZ, with seven companies starting operations there, seven others in the construction stage, and 13 others in the industrial development planning stage.
He further underscored that the government's plans to create jobs through investment, as well as adding value to commodity raw materials through downstreaming, are showing more promise.
According to Prabowo, investment could create up to 8 million jobs in the next five years.
The Batang Integrated Industrial Area has been transformed into the Batang Industropolis SEZ to boost investment in Central Java.
Earlier, deputy for protocol, press, and media affairs at the Presidential Secretariat, Yusuf Permana, said that the government is targeting investment of Rp75.8 trillion (around US$4.59 billion) in the Batang Industropolis SEZ.
The SEZ, which covers business activities in the fields of manufacturing, logistics, and distribution, is also targeted to create 58,145 jobs.
The establishment of SEZs is the Indonesian government's strategic policy to create centers of economic growth. Several fiscal and non-fiscal incentives are provided at SEZs, such as customs and excise incentives and ease of permits and licensing.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi, Raka Adji
Editor: Primayanti
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