Banjarmasin, S Kalimatan (ANTARA) - The South Kalimantan Provincial Government is now focusing on developing Mekar Putih Port in Kotabaru Ditrict to become special economic zones (KEK or SEZ).
“The development of Mekar Putih Port area in Kotabaru with various facilities and infrastructure is a strategic step to improve logistics connectivity in supporting the new capital city of Nusantara (IKN) in East Kalimantan,” said Head of South Kalimantan Transportation Office Fitri Hernadi here on Wednesday.
He said that Mekar Putih with an average sea water depth of more than 20 meters can even accomodate ships weighing 100,000-150,000 dead weight tonnage (DWT).
“To develop the special economic zones, this ongoing port development phase requires strict supervision from the Ministry of Transportation,” he said.
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With the existing potential and very strategic location, Mekar Putih Harbor in Kotabaru has a great potential as a center for international trade activities.
He acknowledged that the National Medium Term Development Plan (RPJMN) 2025-2029 for South Kalimantan received serious attention to various infrastructure projects.
Fitri said the infrastructure projects do not only focus on developing Mekar Putih, but also other strategic infrastructure, such as the construction of Pulau Laut bridge connecting Kotabaru-Batulicin, the construction of deep sea port, and other infrastructure.
He underscored that the development of this strategic infrastructure is a big opportunity to encourage local and national economic growth, especially to strengthen South Kalimantan's position as a logistics buffer for IKN.
“Especially now in the construction of Pulau Laut bridge connecting two district in South Kalimantan which is planned to be completed within the next three years. When it is completed, logistics flows between regions will be smoother,” said Fitri.
The Governor of South Kalimantan together with Minister of Environment had inspected the construction of the Pulau Laut bridge in Tanah Bumbu on Wednesday (January 1, 2025). The construction of the bridge cost around IDR5.9 trillion.
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