TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Franky Sibarani said that government efforts to boost investments outside Java had shown favorable results as Kalimantan dominated investment realizations after Java Island.

“Four provinces in Kalimantan have managed to be among ten major investment locations. This is good news to boost development outside Java,” Franky said in a press release on Saturday, January 23, 2016.

East Kalimantan is ranked fifth with an investment value of US$1.3 billion, followed by West Kalimantan in the sixth place with US$1.2 billion. South Kalimantan manages to sit on the ninth place with an investment value of US$961 million, followed by Central Kalimantan in the 10^th place with US$933 million. Two other provinces on the list are West Sumatera and Central Sulawesi sitting on seventh and eight places, respectively.

Three major sectors thriving in the four provinces are mining, crops and plantation. In addition, basic metal industry, metal products, machinery and electronics, housing, industrial zone and office parks are thriving in the island.

“The government will continue to put investments outside Java on priority to promote equitable development in Indonesia,” Franky added.

Franky explained that provincial administrations outside Java Island must continue to innovate to catch up with other provinces in Java Island. Franky viewed that competition among regions to attract investors was a positive development to boost economic growth in each region.

AMIRULLAH