Indonesian Silicon Valley; North American Country Touted as Investor

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Reports from stakeholders in Indonesia’s ‘silicon valley’ project touted as the ‘algorithm hill’ (bukit algoritma) claims that a country in North America has shown commitment to become an investor. 

The program to establish the Indonesian ‘silicon hill’ is mentioned in the special economic area (KEK) development contract on the development of technology and 4.0 industry that was signed by state-owned Amarta Karya, Kiniku Bintang Raya, and Bintang Raya Loka Lestari.

Acting chairperson of Kiniku Bintang Raya, Budiman Sudjatmiko, on April 12 claimed “investors have met us to work on the area.” 

Indonesia offered an initial investment value of Rp18 trillion or 1 billion euros which can be increased corresponding to the development of the value chain ecosystem that will be worked on gradually. 

However, Budiman remained tight-lipped about the investor and its country of origin but he claims that there are other parties apart from this North American investor that have shown interest to develop the silicon valley in Sukabumi.

“One of those that have shown interest is a country in West Europe, Middle East, and two Asian countries,” said Budiman Sudjatmiko who elaborated that one of the potential investors from Asia is interested to develop the research of new and renewable energy.

The algorithm hill will be built over a broad land area of 888 hectares and will be built in three stages with the first two stages slated to spend 6 years development while the third phase will last for 5 years. The government plans to establish research in cargo drones, passenger drones, and nano satellites. 

Read: Investment Ministry's Formation Could Lend Positive Investor Sentiment: Expert

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA