JAKARTA (TheInsiderStories) - The government will start the construction of Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone on Sept. 2. After the National Council for Special Economic Zones approved the proposed Establishment of Special Economic Zones Tanjung Kelayang, Belitung, Bangka Belitung province, the government has officially declare Tanjung Kelayang to become the 9th Special Economic Zone through Government Regulation No. 6 of 2016 concerning Tanjung Kelayang SEZ on March 15, 2016.
SEZ with tourism zone has maritime tourist attraction with exotic white sand beaches coupled with the small islands located in the vicinity as a tourism destination. SEZ is planning to develop environmentally sustainable tourism concept. This was conveyed by the Secretary of the National Council for Special Economic Zones, Enoh Suharto Pranoto in a press release in Jakarta on Wednesday (March 23, 2016)
“Special Economic Zones Tanjung Kelayang is located in Belitung Regency, will be developed on an area of 324.4 ha with an investment plan for the development of the area up to Rp1.5 trillion ‘,” said Enoch. Tanjung Kelayang SEZ alone is expected to attract tourists to more than 58 thousand people per year. In addition it is expected to attract investment of up to Rp 20 trillion in 2025, and create new jobs for 23 645 people in 2022, added Enoh.
The SEZ should be ready for operation no later than 3 (three) years since established through government regulation. PT Belitung Beach Intan as the initiator will be transformed as the developer and manager by Regent Pacific Islands, is expected to soon carry out physical development in the region, including preparation of the land (land clearance), construction of roads, development of office facilities, and other supporting infrastructure, so that by 2019, the SEZ is ready to operate.
With the enactment of Tanjung Kelayang SEZ, the number of SEZs in Indonesia increases to 9 SEZs, after Tanjung Lesung SEZ in Banten Province. Sei Mangkei SEZ in the province of North Sumatra (2nd). The Palu SEZ in Central Sulawesi (3rd). Bitung SEZ in North Sulawesi province (4th). Tanjung Api-Api SEZ in South Sumatra (5th). Mandalika SEZ in West Nusa Tenggara (6th). Morotai SEZ in North Maluku (7th). And Maloy Batuta Trans Kalimantan SEZ in East Kalimantan (8th).
In addition to being a Special Economic Zone, the Ministry of Tourism has also set Tanjung Kelayang as one of the 10 National Priority Tourism Destinations. Enoh added, “The enactment of Tanjung Kelayang SEZ is expected to accelerate economic growth and create new job opportunities for the people of Belitung, and created new centers of economic activity in the context of equitable development outside Java,” concludes Enoh.
Arief said that the Tanjung Kelayang project is realized as there is a good cooperation between the central government and regional government. “This is a real synergy,” he said.
The realization is a fruit of the commitment from the Belitung Maritime Silk Road Consortium (BMSR), as the developer. “Development acceleration in a region will be fast, if the investor is reliable,” said Arief Yahya.
Tanjung Kelayang will present 1 out of 10 major national tourism destination. It will be expected to serve as Indonesian Maldives, and the second Bali of Indonesia.
The development of the SEZ is expected to cost the government about Rp20 trillion. It will be equipped with supporting facilities and infrastructure, including international-standard airport. (*)