Andi Utta Urges Bulukumba Chamber of Commerce to Drive Development by Maximising Regional Potential

Bulukumba Regent Andi Muchtar Ali Yusuf addressed over a hundred officials of the Bulukumba Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), stressing the importance of opening up investment as widely as possible to advance the region. “I entrust the Bulukumba Kadin management to play a maximum role, so that outside investment can enter,” said Andi Utta, as he is familiarly known, during the inauguration of the Kadin Bulukumba board for the 2026-2031 term at the Regent’s official residence on Friday (12/6/2026). The two-term regent argued that the best investment to advance Bulukumba is a business-to-business (B2B) scheme, rather than government-to-government (G2G), to avoid an overly bureaucratic investment climate with tight regulations. He also reminded regional apparatus organisations (OPD) not to complicate investment licensing. According to Andi Utta, Kadin can do much to maximise the region’s potential in sectors such as agriculture and plantations, fisheries and marine, and tourism. “Our agricultural potential is extraordinary, but it has not been maximally utilised. That is why I set an example of educating the community to farm with an export market in mind,” he said, noting that maintaining exports requires attention to quality, quantity, and continuity. Andi Utta also outlined President Prabowo Subianto’s policies, which he described as very good for the national economy, adding that although they may feel difficult initially, Indonesia’s economy will improve in the future. “Finally, on behalf of the regional government, I congratulate and wish success to all the newly inaugurated Kadin Bulukumba board members. May they uphold this trust with dedication in advancing the business world in Bulukumba,” he added. The new Kadin Bulukumba board is led by Syahruni Haris, a businessperson and politician who currently serves as Deputy Chair of the Bulukumba Regional People’s Representative Council (DPRD). She was inaugurated by the Deputy Chair of Kadin South Sulawesi, Harmansyah, on behalf of the provincial chair. Following the ceremony, Syahruni Haris received the Kadin Pataka flag to be flown across the Panritalopi region. The event was also attended by the Deputy Chair of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin Indonesia), Sarman Simanjorang, members of the Regional Leadership Coordination Forum (Forkopimda), the Deputy Regent, the Head of the Bulukumba Communication and Information Agency, Andi Uke Indah Permatasari, several directors of state-owned and regionally-owned enterprises, and other invited guests. Sarman Simanjorang congratulated the new board, noting that the presence of a Kadin Indonesia deputy chair made the inauguration particularly special. “It is rare for a district or city board inauguration to be attended by a Kadin Indonesia deputy chair. We are here representing the chairperson to help ensure the success of the South Sulawesi Kadin provincial conference,” he said. He expressed hope that Kadin Bulukumba would become a strategic partner for the regional government in building an advanced and competitive economy, especially given Kadin’s legal foundation under Law No. 1 of 1987. Syahruni Haris affirmed that one of the goals of joining Kadin is to accelerate the progress of local entrepreneurs, citing Andi Muchtar Ali Yusuf as a successful businessperson worthy of emulation. “The Regent built his business from scratch to success. Being regent is just a bonus; it is a space for serving the community,” she said, adding that the inauguration marks the first step in improving and advancing Kadin Bulukumba as a big home for accelerating the economy in an adaptive and inclusive manner.