North Sulawesi declared as special economic region
Manado (ANTARA News) - In view of North Sulawesi`s rapid investment and economic development, the central government has named the province a Special Economic Region (KEK).
"Of the 25 provinces in the country, North Sulawesi is the second to have passed the verifications as a special economic region in Indonesia," Governor SH Sarudajang said here on Saturday.
The governor said the central government gave its serious attention to North Sulawesi and named it special economic region after the province had made every effort to accelerate the development of its economic-supporting infrastructure projects.
Sarudajang said that the Bitung international sea port overlooking the Pacific Ocean as a gateway for exports and imports in East Indonesia had a strategic function to support the special economic region.
"Besides Bitung sea port, Sam Ratulangi airport has also established international flights to a number of countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and some others," Sarundajang said.
According to the governor, both domestic and foreign investment in North Sulawesi had increased significantly every year, and in 2005 to Rp3.13 trillion, and in 2008 to Rp7.46 trillion, while exports also increased from Rp6.54 trillion in 2005 to Rp10.94 trillion in 2009.
Meanwhile, North Sulawesi councilor Benny Rhamdani said positive response should be given to the province after it has been named special economic region.
"The central government trust to the province i proves that the economic development in the area had substantially progressed," Benny said.
But he pointed out that the unemployment and poverty rates in the province were still high enough and therefore a solution needs to be immediately sought to prevent a negative impact from hitting the economic sector.(*)
"Of the 25 provinces in the country, North Sulawesi is the second to have passed the verifications as a special economic region in Indonesia," Governor SH Sarudajang said here on Saturday.
The governor said the central government gave its serious attention to North Sulawesi and named it special economic region after the province had made every effort to accelerate the development of its economic-supporting infrastructure projects.
Sarudajang said that the Bitung international sea port overlooking the Pacific Ocean as a gateway for exports and imports in East Indonesia had a strategic function to support the special economic region.
"Besides Bitung sea port, Sam Ratulangi airport has also established international flights to a number of countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Japan, and some others," Sarundajang said.
According to the governor, both domestic and foreign investment in North Sulawesi had increased significantly every year, and in 2005 to Rp3.13 trillion, and in 2008 to Rp7.46 trillion, while exports also increased from Rp6.54 trillion in 2005 to Rp10.94 trillion in 2009.
Meanwhile, North Sulawesi councilor Benny Rhamdani said positive response should be given to the province after it has been named special economic region.
"The central government trust to the province i proves that the economic development in the area had substantially progressed," Benny said.
But he pointed out that the unemployment and poverty rates in the province were still high enough and therefore a solution needs to be immediately sought to prevent a negative impact from hitting the economic sector.(*)