Helping to Revitalize the Health and Tourism Industry, Policy Transformation for the Development of Special Economic Zones Continues to be Rolled Out

INDUSTRY.co.id - Denpasar, 4 February 2023,- The government has prepared Special Economic Zones (KEK) to become areas that have economic and geostrategic advantages in supporting increased investment. 

In addition, SEZ development also plays an important role in accelerating regional economic growth and equitable development nationally.

Complementing the working visit agenda in Bali, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto who is also the Chairman of the SEZ National Council had the opportunity to directly visit the construction sites for the Bali Turtle SEZ and Sanur SEZ in Denpasar, Bali Province, Saturday (4/02). 

"Of course this economic area is expected to complement the health economic area in Sanur. Therefore, Bali is one of the provinces that has two SEZs, and both of them support the tourism industry. It is hoped that with these two SEZs, Bali's economy will become more sustainable," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga Hartarto who is also the Chair of the SEZ National Council in a doorstop session with media crews.

As a manifestation of the implementation of the Job Creation Law, the Government continues to strive for the transformation of SEZ development policies by emphasizing the orientation towards the realization of SEZs that are able to build added value over mastery of technology and human resources. 

In order to keep the SEZ development management in line with the dynamics of the world economy and technology, the Government has developed Digital SEZs, Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO) SEZs, Education SEZs, Tourism SEZs, and Health SEZs.

Located on Serangan Island, Denpasar City, the Bali Turtles SEZ with an area of ​​approximately 498 hectares was recently approved at the SEZ National Council Session to recommend its designation. KEK Kura-Kura Bali will develop international class luxury tourism activities which include the Integrated Marina Area, center for excellence for education and tech park, and lifestyle wellness center. 

Investment in the Bali Kura-Kura SEZ itself is targeted at Rp. 104.4 trillion and is able to absorb 99,853 workers when it operates in its ultimate capacity in 2052. The Bali Kura-Kura SEZ is also expected to be able to generate a cumulative foreign exchange of Rp. 477 trillion in 2052, with a target of Rp. 4 .6 trillion in the first five years.

Meanwhile, the Sanur SEZ, which was established in July 2022, is the first Health SEZ in Indonesia to develop international-class health and tourism facilities. Targeted to be able to realize an investment of IDR 10.2 trillion, the Sanur SEZ is also expected to be able to absorb 43,647 workers. In addition, it is also hoped that foreign exchange savings of Rp. 86 trillion will be realized from Indonesian citizens who previously received treatment abroad and additional foreign exchange of Rp. 19.6 trillion cumulatively from 2022 to 2045.

Learning from the Covid-19 pandemic which had stopped the pace of economic growth in the Province of Bali, the development of the two SEZs is also expected to transform the economy in the Province of Bali so that it does not only depend on the tourism sector. 

"This is a good opportunity to be revitalized," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

Accompanying the Coordinating Minister for Airlangga during the visit to the SEZ included members of the DPR RI, Minister of Industry, Secretary of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs as Acting Secretary of the SEZ National Council, Deputy for Coordination of Regional Development and Spatial Planning, Deputy for Coordination of International Economic Cooperation, Expert Staff for the Field Regulation, Law Enforcement, and Economic Resilience, as well as the management of the Bali Turtle SEZ and Sanur SEZ.