Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution inaugurated a Special Economic Zone (KEK) on a land measuring 523.7 hectares in Sorong District, West Papua, on Friday.
The newly established KEK is projected to spur the local economy in West Papua in addition to the national economy, Nasution remarked at the inauguration of the KEK here on Friday.
During the past five years, the government has established 226 national strategic projects, of which 50 percent will be completed by end of 2019.
"One of the projects is this KEK in Sorong District. West Papua currently has a big industrial estate," he noted.
The minister believes that development of the KEK in Sorong is part of the government’s efforts to encourage investment outside Java Island.
"The president is keen to witness the involvement of investors in the development of the eastern part of Indonesia, such as West Papua and Papua. Hence, we can achieve equitable development across all regions," he remarked.
Development of the KEK Sorong has been included in the Regional Medium Term Development Plan 2017-2022.
The industrial zone is expected to drive the economy in Sorong, with a gross regional domestic product projected to reach Rp10.64 trillion in 2030.
The KEK in Sorong is projected to absorb 15,024 workers in various industries, including nickel industry, palm oil, sago, and logistical warehouses.
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