We have resolved to turn Barongkong Port into a special economic zone (KEK)."
Barru, South Sulwesi (ANTARA News) - Chief Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa inaugurated the ground breaking ceremony for the construction of the Bosowa cement packing terminal and port worth Rp700 billion in Barru, South Sulawesi, on Thursday.

Hatta stated that the construction of the port and other facilities is not only aimed at supporting the operations of Bosowa Cement but also for serving the interests of the people, in general.

"We have resolved to turn Barongkong Port into a special economic zone (KEK). This month, we have also visited Bitung, in North Sulawesi, and Palu, in Central Sulawesi, to transform them into KEK regions. The plan will be realized once all the requirements have been met," the minister added.

He emphasized that Bosowa Corporindos accomplishment constituted the private sectors support in promoting development, particularly in accelerating the six economic corridors in Indonesia.

"Previously, about 60 percent of the investment through the Master Plan for Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesias Economic Development (MP3I) were made in Java. To encourage development outside Java, the government is providing several tax incentives and facilities. Now, investment has reached Rp828 trillion, of which 67 percent will be invested outside Java," the minister remarked.

During the function, Minister Rajasa was accompanied by Transportation Deputy Minister Bambang Susantono, South Sulawesi Governor Syahrul Yasin Limpo, West Sulawesi Governor Anwar Adnan Saleh, Founder of Bosowa Group HM Aksa Mahmud, CEO of Bosowa Erwin Aksa, and Head of Barru District A. Idris Syukur.

Hatta noted that the budget used for infrastructure development in 2013 had increased by 6.7 percent as compared to the budget used in the previous year.

He stated that the funds from the state budget reached Rp200 trillion, funds from state-owned enterprises amounted to Rp150 trillion, and the funds from the regional budget are valued at Rp100 trillion.

"With the funds used for infrastructure development reaching over Rp500 trillion, the international community will now perceive Indonesia as an advanced nation because the amount of the allocation has accounted for over five percent of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP)," remarked Hatta, coordinating minister for economic affairs.

In the meantime, Erwin Aksa noted that the terminal and port project used up an investment worth Rp700 billion. The investment is used to build a jetty for the shipment of clinker, a pier for ships or barges, a pier for small ships for cement dispatches, a warehouse, a cement packing terminal, and cement silo facilities.

He claimed that the facilities will boost the expansion of industries outside the Makassar city. The project is located about 107 km west of Makassar, or about 60 km from the Bosowa Cement Factory in Maros, South Sulawesi.

Erwin added that there will be four cement silos in the facility, each with a capacity of 20 thousand tons of cement. The facilities will provide storage for cement from the Bosowa Cement Factory intended for dispatches to other islands or exports.
(Uu.A014/INE/KR-BSR)

Editor: Priyambodo RH
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