Babel, Japan Sign Urban Spatial Development MOU

Pangkalpinang, Babel, Nov 30 (ANTARA) - Bangka Belitung (Babel) province and Japanese urban development company New District Design (NDD) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on urban spatial development. Babel governor Eko Maulana Ali and NDD CEO Yoshio Mitsui signed the MoU at the Governor`s Office in Pangkalpinang, Babel, on Friday. The MoU involves �green environment community development, renewable energy source development, minerals processing, and the development of an environmentally friendly airport and harbour�. During his speech, Governor Ali called on all regions and cities to `make the best use of the opportunity when Japanese investors arrive here seeking cooperation in regional development projects`. "The more partners we have, the more we can maximize our regional development," he said. Ali added that Babel had sufficient natural and human resources to boost the province�s economic growth. "In the future, we hope Bangka becomes an industrial hub and Belitung develops as a tourism hotspot," he said. Meanwhile, Babel Investment Coordinating Board (BKPMD) head Zakaria Umarhadi pointed out that the regional government was committed to ensuring a conducive investment climate in the province. "The One Stop Integrated Services (PTSP) regulation has encouraged businessmen to invest here," he noted. "We hope they remain interested in our potential resources and increase cooperation with Babel province in developing the region," Umarhadi said. Meanwhile, Mistui stated that the Japanese government strongly supported sustainable economic growth and development not only in Japan but also worldwide. "Our mission is to support this Japanese government project in developing an environmentally friendly community with minimal carbon emission," he explained. The signing of MoU on urban spatial development was a follow-up of Governor Ali`s visit to Japan in October as part of an effort to promote Babel globally.