TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution said that he expects all special economic zones (SEZ) to operate this year. The government is currently developing SEZs in 11 regions: seven manufacturing economic zones and four tourism economic zones.

“Mandalika SEZ will hopefully be inaugurated this month, followed by Palu SEZ,” Darmin said yesterday, August 1, at Borobudur Hotel in Jakarta.

Moreover, Darmin said that a governmental regulation is being prepared for the special economic zone in Bintan, Karimun, and Lhokseumawe. “Meanwhile, Tanjung Api-Api SEZ still has land use issues. Earlier, we had also expected a swift establishment of Merauke SEZ,” he said.

Read: Jokowi Wants Development of Bitung Economic Zone Expedited

Darmin said that three special economic zones in Tanjung Lesung, Tanjung Kelayang and Sorong have already started operations. “Maybe this year we will see all SEZs be launched and start operations. Meanwhile, Maloy SEZ in Kalimantan will need more time,” he said.

In a press release, the National SEZ Council Secretary Enoh Suharto Pranoto stated that the government will facilitate investors in SEZs, including offering up to 25-year tax holiday and exempt from negative investment list (DNI).

The government is aiming to attract Rp726 trillion investments in all SEZs by 2030 that are expected to create 632,583 jobs. As of June 30, a total of Rp221 trillion has been invested in special economic zones.

Global companies have made investments in Special Economic Zones, including PT Unilever Oleochemical Indonesia (Rp2 trillion), PT Industri Nabati Lestari (Rp1 trillion), ProCone GmbH (Rp8 trillion), Alternatif Protein Indonesia (Rp5.2 trillion), PT Perusahaan Resort Indonesia Amerika or Paramount Hotel (Rp 1trillion), ITDC Properti Club Med Hotel (Rp1 trillion), and MotoGP Circuit (Rp6 trillion).

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI