West Java DPRD Assesses Cirebon Can Strengthen Regional Economic Role

Deputy Speaker of the West Java DPRD Ono Surono assessed that Cirebon City has the opportunity to strengthen its role as a centre for trade, services, and economic growth in the eastern region of West Java and the Ciayumajakuning area. Speaking in Cirebon on Tuesday, Ono said the city’s long history as an administrative centre can serve as capital to enhance the region’s competitiveness. “At the age of 599, Cirebon must re-establish itself as a centre for trade, services, and economic growth,” he stated. According to him, with its relatively small area, Cirebon City has the opportunity to develop various innovations to strengthen its position as a hub of economic activity in eastern West Java. “Cirebon City, which only covers five sub-districts and 22 urban wards, should be more advanced with various innovations,” he said. Additionally, utilising home gardens through the concept of urban farming could be an alternative to support urban development. “Urban farming, for example by making use of home gardens, and many other things can be developed in the future,” he noted. Ono mentioned that several development challenges still require attention, including poverty alleviation and improving education services. Nevertheless, he considered the current achievements of several macro indicators in Cirebon City to be relatively good compared to other regions in West Java. Ono added that Cirebon City has also benefited from the development taking place in the surrounding regencies of Cirebon, Indramayu, Majalengka, and Kuningan (Ciayumajakuning). According to him, industrial and investment activities in the surrounding areas have supported the development of the trade and services sector in Cirebon City. Therefore, strengthening Cirebon City’s function as a trade and services centre is considered capable of driving economic growth in the Ciayumajakuning and Rebana areas more optimally. “All this time, Cirebon has been receiving impacts from the development occurring in the Ciayumajakuning region,” he said.