Govt Proposes To Establish Three New Special Economic Zones

Jakarta, Feb 18 (Antara) - The Indonesian government is currently considering to set up three new special economic zones (KEK), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa stated here on Tuesday. "There are three eligible areas: Tanjung Apiapi in the South Sumatra province, Mandalika in West Nusatenggara, and Morotai in North Maluku," Hatta noted. According to the minister, all the three areas are eligible to become economic zones as they meet the required regulations: eligibility of land, investor, infrastructure, and spatial planning. Hatta explained that Tanjung Apiapi is proposed to become an agricultural-based industrial area with palm oil, rubber, and coal as the main products in the offing. The Tanjung Apiapi economic zone will occupy 20,330 hectares of land with an initial investment worth Rp12.3 trillion. With regard to Mandalika, Hatta emphasized that the area will be transformed into a tourism-based industrial economic zone, considering the high number of investors who have shown interest to build hotels, resorts, and houses. Meanwhile, the Morotai area in the North Maluku province will be converted into an economic zone for several industries such tourism, business, logistics, and fishery. "The Morotai economic zone will occupy 15 thousand hectares of land with an initial investment worth Rp6.8 trillion," Hatta added.