Sleman visits Cirebon industry

Sleman visits Cirebon industry

YOGYAKARTA: As part of its human resources development program,
Sleman regency sent some of its officials to Cirebon, West Java,
to attend a policy orientation visit from April 15 through April
16.

Led by Vice Regent Zaelani, activities focused on industry,
trade (container shipping terminals), rusunawa (leased flats),
and traffic management.

According to Sleman Public Relations Office head Sudarningsih,
who was also part of the entourage, it wanted to see Cirebon's
industrial policy, especially as Sleman had industrial potential.

"We need to identify the best strategy to exploit this
potential," Sudarningsih said ahead of the visit.

In 2003, Sleman had 15,000 small industries that employed
44,000 people. The investment value for this particular sector
was Rp 87.3 billion and the production value was four times that
amount, Rp 367 billion.

The figure exclude 64 medium and large businesses that
absorbed over 15,000 people and yielded a production value of Rp
1.1 trillion, with an investment value of Rp 250 billion in the
same year.

In terms of trade, Sleman learned that Cirebon has succeeded
in making itself a center for collecting, marketing and
distributing commodities, as well as a gateway for export-import
activities in western Central Java and the eastern West Java.

With regard to transportation, Sleman was seeking some input
on how Cirebon managed its traffic. Although Cirebon's industrial
activities and population have increased, they have caused
relatively few traffic problems.

"By visiting rusunawa, we have learned more about how to
design flats, determine their location and manage them well
because Sleman also plans to build some here to address its
housing problems," said Sudarningsih. -- JP