Indonesian President approves two new special economic zones hinh anh 1Nongsa Digital Park would focus on digital technology and tourism activities. (Photo: straitstimes.com)
Jakarta (VNA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo officially granted special economic zone (SEZ) status to a technological park and an aircraft maintenance facility in Batam city, Riau Islands province, to jump-start local economic recovery amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Nongsa digital park located in the northeast of the island city will focus on digital technology and tourism activities while Batam Aero Technic - the Lion Air Group’s facility - will be dedicated to maintenance, repair and overhaul of commercial aircraft.

With an area of 166.54 hectares, the Nongsa digital park is targeted to bring in investments worth 16 trillion rupiah (1.12 billion USD) and generate 16,500 jobs, while the 30ha aircraft facility is expected to rake in 7.2 trillion rupiah worth of investments and create 9,976 jobs.  

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto made the announcement after his working visit to Batam on June 12.

The main objective of developing SEZs is to improve economic growth, ensure equitable development and the nation’s competitiveness, he said.

Opened in March 2018, The Nongsa digital park has over 100 technology companies, mostly based in Singapore, which hire more than 1,200 employees. It was the outcome of bilateral discussions to develop Batam as a digital bridge between Singapore and Indonesia./.
VNA