Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment Makes Banyumas a Pilot for Export Zone

The Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment (Kemenko PM) has designated Banyumas Regency, Central Java, as a pilot project location for an Integrated Community Empowerment Ecosystem Based on Export Zones to optimise local economic potential while accelerating poverty alleviation. “In terms of poverty numbers, Banyumas remains a concern. However, facts on the ground show this region has enormous potential, especially coconut commodities that can be developed into an export zone,” said Abdul Haris, Deputy for Coordination of Village Empowerment, Underdeveloped Villages, and Specific Villages at Kemenko PM, during the programme launch in Cilongok District, Banyumas, on Thursday. The pilot project launch was carried out by Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar and attended by Banyumas Regent Sadewo Tri Lastiono, House of Representatives Commission VII member Siti Mukaromah, representatives from universities, businesses, philanthropic institutions, and various other stakeholders. Abdul Haris said Cilongok District was chosen as the initial location because it has significant coconut-based economic potential and is considered capable of driving improvements in community welfare if managed in an integrated manner. “We hope that through this programme, various ministries can synchronise their initiatives so that the development of this export zone runs more optimally and delivers a real impact for the community,” he said. He stated that the Cilongok area has approximately 105,000 coconut trees with production reaching around 12,000 tonnes, which serves as important capital to strengthen the community’s economy and enhance the competitiveness of local products in the global market. In addition to strengthening the production sector, institutional development through cooperatives is also an important part of the export zone development strategy.