Factories ordered to be spruced up

Multa Fidrus, Tangerang

The Tangerang regency administration, hoping to transform Jl. Raya Serpong into an international business corridor, has ordered industrial firms along the road to give their factories a makeover so they will look like showrooms.

"It is meant to give all of the buildings along the road a similar look," said Didin Syamsudin, an official with the Tangerang Spatial and Building Layout Agency.

This effort comes after a change in the regency's master plan that allows the administration to turn Serpong from an industrial area into an integrated business corridor.

The Jakarta Post saw dozens of large factories along the 12- kilometer-long Jl. Raya Serpong. Most of them are on the right side of the road heading from Tangerang to Serpong.

Much of the other side of the road is occupied by the Alam Sutra, Vila Melati Mas and Bumi Serpong Damai housing estates, whose developers have also constructed stores and shopping centers.

Didin said former Tangerang regent Syafullah was responsible for partially turning Serpong into an industrial zone.

"Since the area is very close to Cisadane River, it is very easy for industries to dump their liquid waste into the river," he said with a laugh.

The regency administration no longer issues permits for factories along the road, and the Serpong area has now become a huge residential area with the development of several housing estates.

"Many multinational companies have also opened offices in Serpong, which has helped accelerate economic growth there," Didin said.

The regency administration now wants to turn Serpong into an international business corridor similar to Singapore's Orchard Road.

The spatial and building layout agency is preparing a blueprint for the corridor, which would cost between Rp 500 million (US$55,555) and Rp 1 billion. The plans are expected to be completed in December and construction is scheduled to begin in January 2005.