Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Trans Sumatra Toll Road (JTTS) is supporting economic activities in Sumatra Island, with priority accorded to local micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), state construction firm PT Hutama Karya has said.
In a statement issued here on Friday, Budi Harto, president director of Hutama Karya, which manages the Trans Sumatra Toll Road segments, said that a new economic center has been created through the JTTS by prioritizing local MSMEs in the rest areas.
"Currently, we prioritize (to set) a minimum of 30 percent of land space for local MSMEs in each rest area by (offering) cheaper rents than commercial prices so that the surrounding community can continue to develop their businesses," Harto informed.
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According to him, many new tourism attractions have come up due to the JTTS, for instance, the Tubaba Islamic Centre and Sarijadi Market.
The Trans Sumatra Toll Road, which connects Java Island to Sumatra Island, specifically the provinces of Lampung and North Sumatra, has provided significant benefits to various industries, he said.
For example, one of the industries that has benefited is logistics, he added. Through the toll road, the process of distributing goods has become faster and logistics costs have been reduced.
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Furthermore, Harto pointed out that many industries can be developed in Sumatra, ranging from forest products processing, plantations, textiles, to electronics and automotive industries.
Meanwhile, to support the downstreaming industry, steel, petrochemical, and capital goods industries can be built in Sumatra, especially in integrated areas that are located close to ports, he said.
"All industries can be integrated and supported by JTTS, which is the main line that connects every province in Sumatra today and in the future," Harto remarked.
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