IKN, Kadin plan event to promote investment in Nusantara

The Nusantara Capital Authority (IKN) and the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) are planning to organize a market sounding event to promote investment in the new capital and its peripheral areas.

Ground zero of the new national capital Nusantara, currently within North Penajam Paser district, East Kalimantan. (ANTARA/M Ghofar)

"Besides promoting investment opportunities, the market sounding event this week will also hear aspirations from investors," Head of the New Capital Transitional Team's information and communication team  Sidik Pramono  said in a statement  on Monday.

The market sounding event is a follow-up to an event held to disseminate information on investment opportunities in the new capital, which was organized in August by the new capital authority and Kadin. The earlier event was attended by 250 entrepreneurs.

"President Joko Widodo is expecting to attend the market sounding event as an honorary guest and the keynote speaker," Pramono informed.

Both domestic and international companies will be invited to the event, he said, adding that the event is expected to optimize the involvement of business actors in the new capital’s development, including in completing the central government core area in keeping with its 2024 target.

According to Pramono, the new capital’s development will open up fresh opportunities in several business sectors, including marine and fisheries, agriculture, energy, trade, healthcare, education, culture, and tourism, as per the new capital’s master plan.

The government will also provide various facilities to ensure a smooth flow of investments into the new capital, including business license and investment benefits, in line with the new capital development project, which has strategic value for the national economy, he added.

"We hope the prepared schemes will invite regional investments and surpass (investment in) neighboring countries because we offer various facilities for investors," the team member remarked.

Earlier, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, announced that the first phase of central government core area development in the new capital is expected to be completed by 2024.

The first phase will involve the construction of the presidential and vice presidential palaces, utility systems, and national road and toll road networks connecting the new capital with Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, he said.

By: M Ghofar, Nabil Ihsan/Antara

Editor: Yakop