Kota to be developed into business, tourist center

JAKARTA (JP): In an ambitious campaign to boost the city's income, the city administration will develop Kota subdistrict in West Jakarta as a business center and tourist destination, an official said on Thursday.

The plan was revealed by West Jakarta Mayor Sarimun Hadisaputra on the sidelines of a seminar on environmental sanitation at Trisakti University in West Jakarta.

"The plan to develop Kota as a business center and a tourist destination is mainly aimed at creating an additional source of city revenue," he said.

The mayor said his office was determined to make Kota the city's main central business district, as well as showcasing historic attractions for tourists.

"It has become our obsession. And we have already completed the outline."

Kota is one of the city's most historic area. The Portuguese landed at its port in the 16th century in an attempt to establish a major colony on Java.

Dutch colonist later followed and built many of the buildings which remain today. Among them was the Be Oost Railway Station, now the Kota station, in the center of the area. The area is also home to several museums.

Sarimun said his office would launch a city-wide campaign to attract investors to the project.

He said the area would be closed to motor vehicles on weekend afternoons once the plan was implemented.

"As an old area of the city, only delman (traditional two- wheeled horse buggies) would be allowed to go around the area," he said. (01)