By: Fifi Afifah
The government continues to prioritize the Rebana and southern West Java areas as centers of superior economic growth in the Pasundan area. The establishment of the new economic center is expected to encourage the creation of new jobs and absorb productive workers.
Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan said he would encourage infrastructure development in the Rebana area and the southern part of West Java.
Luhut said the two areas have huge potential to attract investors. The government has also issued a presidential regulation (Perpres) No. 87/2021 concerning the acceleration of the development of the Tambourine Area and the Southern Part of West Java.
Luhut explained that the Presidential Regulation was a mandate from President Joko Widodo to accelerate investment through the development of the two areas. By enacting this Presidential Regulation, all levels of the central government are instructed to fully support development in the Rebana area and the southern part of West Java.
Luhut said the government is committed to encouraging environmentally friendly investments in order to realize sustainable development. In addition, his party also supports the development of high-tech industries, especially in the Rebana area, which can encourage a new economy that is superior, competitive and of international standard.
He added that the development needed to be done immediately. The reason is that the southern part of West Java is considered to be left behind compared to other areas. With the large investment potential, his party hopes that the Rebana and Southern West Java areas can become drivers of national economic growth.
On a different occasion, Head of the One Stop Integrated Licensing Investment Office (DPMPTSP) of West Java Province, Noneng Komara Nengsih, said that the development of the two areas received support from the central government, through the issuance of a Presidential Regulation on the Acceleration of Development of the Tambourine and Southern West Java Regions.
Referring to the regulation, the Tambourine Area covers 7 regions, namely Subang Regency, Sumedang, Indramayu, Majalengka, Kuningan, Cirebon and Cirebon City. Meanwhile, the development of the Southern West Java Region covers the districts of Sukabumi, Cianjur, Garut, Tasikmalaya, Ciamis and Pangandaran.
Referring to the Presidential Regulation signed by President Jokowi on September 9, 2021, Noneng explained that the development of the Rebana area and the southern part of West Java contains 162 programs, with an investment value of around 392.4. This amount is an investment figure that is expected to be funded through the APBN, APBD, BUMD and the private sector.Meanwhile, West Java Governor Ridwan Kamil estimates that the development of the Rebana area will create 13 new industrial cities in it. The 13 industrial cities will have specializations in each sector. The Rebana area is also said to contribute 3% of West Java’s economic growth and is able to create 4 million jobs within 20 years.
He claimed that the Rebana area would be the best investment place in Indonesia. This is because there will be a Patimban port which is not far from Kertajati Airport access, passed by the Cipali Toll Road, the railway line and the wages of workers who are considered to be in the middle-low category. In addition, in the Rebana area, there will be construction of toll road infrastructure, trains, basic infrastructure, water resources infrastructure and other infrastructure development.
Together with his deputy, UU Ruzhabul Ulum, Ridwan Kamil is keen to develop the Rebana metropolitan area into a new office fund industrial area in West Java.
West Java itself is known as the area with the largest investment in Indonesia and has been increasingly highlighted by world investors after the establishment of an electric car battery factory in Karawang. This of course creates a huge potential that is projected for electric cars from famous South Korean brands to be sold starting April 2022.
West Java itself has two regions with different characteristics, namely the northern part of West Java which is generally suitable for investment in the industrial and logistics sectors while the southern part of West Java is suitable for investing in the agriculture, tourism and other sectors. This is what causes that the central part of West Java to the north is more advanced than West Java to the south. Moreover, West Java to the north has a lot of flat land, making it easier to open a business.
The government continues to optimize the realization of superior economic development. Of course, economic excellence must be pursued, because development for the benefit of mankind must continue to be encouraged.
The author is a contributor to the press circle and a student of Cikini
