TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Batam Free Trade and Free Port Zone Management Agency (BP Batam) proposed the establishment of a Health Tourism special economic zone (Health SEZ) centered in Sekupang and Nongsa, Batam City, Riau Islands. A health-centered economic zone will allow foreign doctors to practice in the area.

"Traditionally, Malays go to Singapore or Johor when they get sick. With a Health SEZ, hopefully, foreign doctors could practice here,” said the Head of Customs and Excise Services and Facilities Division I of Batam Customs, Muhammad Solafudin, on Wednesday, June 26, 2024.

Solafudin said the proposal had been discussed at the SEZ National Council Secretariat. If approved, the proposal will then be submitted for approval by the President. This policy will revise the governmental regulation on special economic zones.

The regulation will accommodate the import duty exemptions for medicines from Sekupang and the immigration of overseas doctors to the area. "A combination of doctors from abroad and over-the-counter medicines," he said, expressing hopes that a Health SEZ will make medical treatment more affordable.

Solafudin also claimed that construction equipment and machinery deliveries could be carried out without import duties during the Health SEZ development.

Previously, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto approved the proposal to establish the Batam International Health Tourism SEZ as it’s within the regulated SEZ under Government Regulation No. 40 of 2021.

The Batam International Health Tourism SEZ, covering a total of 47.17 hectares, will be located in Sekupang with 23.10 hectares (Integrated Health Tourism) and Nongsa with an area of 24.08 hectares (Tourism). This project targets Rp6.91 trillion by 2032 and is expected to absorb a workforce of 105,406 people over 80 years.

The proposed project has acquitted 100 percent of the land under the main investors, Apollo Hospitals India and Mayapada Group for the International Hospital.

In Sekupang, the Health SEZ will carry out its main health activities with an International Hospital (Mayapada Apollo Batam International Hospital), Nursing Academy International, MedTech Park equipped with MICE (Meetings, Incentive, Convention & Exhibition), Doctor's Housing, Dormitory, Hotel & Retail.

RSBP Batam and its supporting facilities will also be part of the SEZ whose services will be integrated with Mayapada Apollo Batam International Hospital.

Meanwhile, in Nongsa, the main tourism activities will be carried out with the Retirement Village & Clinic business plan and supporting accommodation in the form of Cottages, Bungalows, Motels intended for tourists, patients and accompanying families.

HAN REVANDA PUTRA | YOGI EKA SAHPUTRA

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