By: Nana Gunawan *)
The government, through the Minister of Investment/Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), Bahlil Lahadalia, ensures that the Rempang Eco City project will continue, including investment from various parties. A number of parties appreciated the steps taken by the government to advance the economy through the Rempang Eco City project.
Rempang Island is considered to have abundant economic potential, making it the right place to develop. With this project, the Government is committed to maintaining the rights of the people, cultural rights, and the birthright of residents who have lived for generations in Rempang.
As a new economic engine in Indonesia, the Central Government through the Batam Business Agency (BP) will prepare Rempang to become an integrated industrial, trade, residential and tourist area in order to encourage increased competitiveness of Indonesia towards Singapore and Malaysia.
Apart from that, the strategic location and the policies implemented are able to attract the attention of investors and business people to play a role in the success of the Rempang Eco City project. In fact, Bahlil Lahadalia said that the investment in Rempang Eco City is estimated to be a new economic engine for Indonesia.
With an investment value estimated at IDR 381 trillion, Rempang Eco City is believed to be able to provide escalation to improve the quality of life and welfare of Rempang residents. Furthermore, the community’s economy will also be boosted by micro, small and medium economic activities even during the development period.
MSMEs are considered to be very lively and strategic partnerships between large companies and MSMEs will continue to be developed so that investment entering the Rempang area will certainly have a positive impact on the development and economic development of the local community.
Head of the Public Relations, Promotion and Protocol Bureau of the Batam Ministry of Enterprise (BP), Ariastuty Sirait, said that the development of the Rempang Eco City project will continue to prioritize local wisdom. So, he explained that it would not only be the region that would progress but the standard of living of the people would also be raised.
Then, Ariastuty added that the standard of living of local communities would increase through the opening of extensive employment opportunities. With the demographic bonus until 2040, the Government will provide extensive employment opportunities for the working age generation, which amounts to 70 percent of the population.
Furthermore, this investment will also provide opportunities for local children to obtain their rights to receive integrated education and become successful in their own area. The ease of scholarships to become workers with many abilities will increase so that the opportunity for a career in the future will be felt by the community.
Meanwhile, in terms of infrastructure, Rempang will become a developed and more organized area. Moreover, this project will provide certainty regarding the legality of residential areas. Equitable development in Rempang will also experience an escalation and an increase in the quality of life. For example, the construction of a pier will make it easier for fishermen to sail and carry out maritime activities and the development of tourism areas will be more optimal so that the Rempang area will not be left behind.
Chairman of the DPR RI, Dr. (HC) Puan Maharani appreciated the Government’s steps regarding the development of Rempang Island which were considered to have a positive impact on economic growth for Batam City and other cities in the Riau Islands Province.
Head of BP Batam, Muhammad Rudi also expressed his appreciation to the Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM, Bahlil Lahadalia for his support in accelerating the development of Rempang Island, Batam. Moreover, the Minister of Investment took part directly in reviewing the location of the investment development plan on Rempang Island and wanted to chair this investment acceleration meeting.
Not only prominent figures, the General Chair of the Local Indigenous Community (Keramat), Gerisman Ahmad also gave his support and appreciation to the Government for the construction of the Rempang Eco City project which was being carried out. He said the community believes in the Government that with the construction of this project the Rempang community will feel a positive impact.
Apart from that, Gerisman also advised the community to keep the situation in Rempang conducive so that investors remain comfortable in realizing their investments in this development project. Residents represented by community leaders also agreed and supported the development of Rempang Eco City.
That way, people don’t need to worry about the Rempang Eco City program carried out by the Government. The benefit of building Rempang Eco City for the surrounding community is the amount of labor absorption which will improve the quality of life and welfare of the community, because both the Central Government and a number of other parties have finalized the project so that the community does not need to feel disadvantaged. The government has also committed to guaranteeing that people’s rights will be fulfilled if they participate in supporting the development of Rempang Eco City without any obstacles.
*) The author is an Economic Observer, Persada Institute.