Industrial Estates Must Become Integrated Ecosystems, Says House Commission VII

Industrial estates must become ecosystems, not just clusters of factories, according to Deputy Chair of the House of Representatives’ Commission VII, Evita Nursanty. Speaking during a working visit to the Wijayakusuma Industrial Estate in Semarang, Central Java, on Monday, she stated, “An industrial estate should be an ecosystem, encompassing connectivity, energy supply, and industrial waste management.” She added that the ecosystem should also include the management of human resources, particularly those working within the estate. “It must become an integrated ecosystem,” she said. Meanwhile, Semarang Mayor Agustina Wilujeng Pramestuti expressed hope that the development of industrial estate ecosystems could be regulated under the upcoming Industrial Estates Law. “We are asking, first and foremost, for ecosystem development. This is the most important aspect. The ecosystem includes how to regulate water supply patterns,” she said. She cautioned that excessive groundwater extraction in Semarang has led to land subsidence. “We need to regulate our involvement in the clean water process within the estate, for instance by sourcing from the municipal water company so they do not have to drill deep wells,” she explained. She added that the industrial estate ecosystem must cover all aspects, including workforce absorption linked to schools and universities. “Specifically regarding human resources, every industrial estate in Semarang should create a scheme for workforce needs and skills, connecting with vocational high schools and universities,” she said.