TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Hyundai Motor Group expressed their interest to be involved in the development of Indonesia's new capital city in Kalimantan, better known as the Nusantara Capital City or IKN. The new governmental center will stand on what is now called North Penajam Paser Regency, adjacent to Balikpapan, East Kalimantan.

Hyundai's commitment was revealed while receiving Indonesian reporters in its headquarters in Gangnam, South Korea, on Wednesday, July 12, 2023. Head of the Smart City Innovation Group of Hyundai, Hyeyoung Kim said that "Hyundai is in the talking stage with the Indonesian government."

According to its specialty and competence, Hyundai intended to be involved in smart city development as planned by President Jokowi in his IKN project. However, Hyeyoung Kim is currently unable to relay in detail concerning this smart city development plan. Generally, she said, Hyundai is definitely planning in the middle-term and long-term to build a smart city ecosystem in Indonesia. Hyundai had also met with several companies in Indonesia. "We are focusing to realize this smart city concept which will center on the people," she said.

The concept for this smart city is a sustainable green city that minimalizes wasted area while preserving the environment. The center of the smart city is a recreational forest, a park, and a dam as the water resource for the residents.

B20 Summit in Bali

Previously on November 2020, IKN Authority had signed an MoU with Hyundai Motor Group and LG CNS during the B20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia. The Deputy for Green and Digital Transform of IKN Authority, Mohammed Ali Berawi revealed that there were 2 MoUs signed by IKN Authority Head Bambang Susantono, first with the President of Advanced Air Mobility Division of Hyundai Motor Company Jaiwon Shin concerning the realization of Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The second was with the CEO of LG CNS Young-shub Kim, regarding the Nusantara smart city collaboration."The collaboration with Hyundai and LG is proof of commitment to make IKN an innovation and technology center attracting business development and green economy in Indonesia," said Ali, on Wednesday, November 16, 2023.

He explained that the MoU with Hyundai will strengthen their cooperation to develop AAM to support the green economy development in IKN. Hopefully, the cooperation will increase the connectivity of the urban transportation system and innovative multi-modal mobility. As part of the collaboration, Hyundai will build an AAM Research and Development center in IKN to encourage the development of technological research in Indonesia and to make IKN the center of Southeast Asia's AAM industry development. "Starting from early 2023, Hyundai will develop the road map for AAM development and the plan for Proof of Concept in Urban Air Mobility and Regional Air Mobility and its ecosystem," he said.

Meanwhile, the collaboration with LG CNS will concern the smart city development in IKN to support the green economy in Indonesia, especially in IKN. LG Group will provide and participate in finding solutions for smart city implementation. "Following the signing of the MoU, President Jokowi and the President of South Korea gave their report at the B20 Summit," Ali added.

SUNU DYANTORO

Editor's Choice: IKN Authority Head Meets Kazakhstan's President, Promotes Sister-City Collaboration

Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News