Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Indonesia are targeted to attract new investment of Rp 76.8 trillion or USD 4,7 billion in 2025.
According to Kompas.com, this ambitious target is driven by the achievement of cumulative investment that has been recorded at IDR 256.7 trillion (USD 15,8 billion) until November 2024.
Optimism for the achievement of this target was conveyed at the 2024 SEZ National Working Meeting held in Jakarta on Friday, December 20, 2024.
Rizal Edwin Manansang, Acting Secretary General of the National Council of SEZs, revealed that the achievement of investment and optimism in achieving the target is highly dependent on solid support and cooperation between various parties.
Synergy Between Government and Private Sector
“Through strong synergy between the government and the private sector, SEZs will play a central role in encouraging investment, increasing international competitiveness. and create wider jobs,” said Edwin in an official statement quoted from the National Council of SEZs website.
In the report submitted by the SEZ Development and Management Business Entity (BUPP), there are six SEZs that have succeeded in exceeding the investment and labor targets set in 2024.
The six SEZs in question are the Sei Mangkei SEZ, Singhasari SEZ, Kendal SEZ, Nongsa SEZ, Sanur SEZ, and Kura Kura Bali SEZ.
This success shows that several SEZs have succeeded in realizing investment plans and labor absorption that are more than 100 percent of the target.
SEZ Plays a Role in Creating Jobs
The SEZ National Working Meeting is expected to be a good opportunity to conduct a more in-depth evaluation of the performance of each SEZ.
This National Meeting is also intended to identify areas that need to be improved and formulate concrete steps to improve the performance of SEZs so that they can be more optimal in supporting national economic growth.
With the evaluation carried out, it is hoped that SEZs can become a more effective economic driving force, encourage more investment, and create wider jobs in various regions.
The government considers that SEZs have a strategic role in increasing Indonesia’s competitiveness in the international arena.
With the existence of economic zones that have special facilities and incentives, it is hoped that it can attract more domestic and foreign investors.
This will of course have a positive impact on the Indonesian economy as a whole, both in terms of economic growth, job creation, and infrastructure improvement in various regions.
SEZs as a Catalyst for Economic Growth
The achievement of SEZs that have exceeded investment and labor targets in 2024 shows that government policies in developing special economic zones are starting to yield positive results.
However, there are still many challenges that must be faced to ensure that each SEZ can operate optimally and contribute greatly to the Indonesian economy.
Therefore, cooperation between the government, the private sector, and all related parties is urgently needed to achieve the common goal of advancing the Indonesian economy through the development of better and more efficient SEZs in the future.
With strong optimism and synergy between all parties, it is hoped that SEZs can continue to develop, not only as investment centers but also as catalysts for sustainable economic growth throughout Indonesia.
Sources: Kompas
Image : via Shutterstock
