Batam Could Become Special Economic Zone
Wednesday, 16 September, 2009 | 13:41 WIB
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:
The government has guaranteed that free trade areas will remain although the draft bill about special economic zones is not ratified yet.
“There is the opportunity for these areas to become special economic zone in line with this bill,” said Trade Minister, Mari Elka Pangestu when representing the government at a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) yesterday (15/9).
The meeting was to approve ratification of the draft bill arranging the zone. All factions have agreed to this.
Mari explained that in the future, the system of special economic zones will be the only system in developing economic areas in Indonesia.
Before the regulation draft was discussed and ratified, the government included Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, as free trade zones.
As the next step, Mari explained that government has promised to set up rules for the zones’ operational activities.
“The government will soon complete all products included in the regulation so its target can be achieved,” she said. Mari said that it would take one year to finish the rules.
These will include the procedures in classifying and expanding special economic zones as well as the funding for the zones’ national and regional councils and administrators.
In addition, the government will arrange cooperation with the private sector for the development and maintenance of infrastructure.
The government believes that within one to two years, several special economic zones will be realized.
NIEKE INDRIETTA
TEMPO Interactive, Jakarta:
The government has guaranteed that free trade areas will remain although the draft bill about special economic zones is not ratified yet.
“There is the opportunity for these areas to become special economic zone in line with this bill,” said Trade Minister, Mari Elka Pangestu when representing the government at a meeting with the House of Representatives (DPR) yesterday (15/9).
The meeting was to approve ratification of the draft bill arranging the zone. All factions have agreed to this.
Mari explained that in the future, the system of special economic zones will be the only system in developing economic areas in Indonesia.
Before the regulation draft was discussed and ratified, the government included Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, as free trade zones.
As the next step, Mari explained that government has promised to set up rules for the zones’ operational activities.
“The government will soon complete all products included in the regulation so its target can be achieved,” she said. Mari said that it would take one year to finish the rules.
These will include the procedures in classifying and expanding special economic zones as well as the funding for the zones’ national and regional councils and administrators.
In addition, the government will arrange cooperation with the private sector for the development and maintenance of infrastructure.
The government believes that within one to two years, several special economic zones will be realized.
NIEKE INDRIETTA