INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - Construction of industrial estates in Indonesia will increase over the next three to five years. This is evident from the recommendation of the development of new industrial area that has been issued by the Ministry of Industry through the Directorate General of Industrial Zoning Development (PPI) as one of the requirements in the principle licensing.

"Up to July 17, 2017, 16 new industrial estates have been recommended with a total area of ​​approximately 8,510 hectares," said Director General of PPI Ministry of Industry Imam Haryono at a discussion with Industry Journalist Forum (Forwin) in Jakarta on Tuesday (18/7 / 2017).

The new industrial area are on the island of Java, namely Karawang, Bekasi, Majalengka, Tangerang and Sidoarjo. Meanwhile, spread out of Java, among other industrial areas in Ketapang, North Penajam Paser, Deli Serdang, Simalungun, Muaro Jambi, and North Gorontalo.

"In the period of 2013-2016, there has been an addition of industrial estates both in terms of number of companies and from the broad side of the land," said Imam.

In terms of numbers, there was an increase of 17.56 percent, while in terms of land area reached 64.67 percent. "Industrial area outside Java has increased from 28.01 percent to 42.42 percent in 2016," he continued.

The Ministry of Industry also noted that of the 27 industrial zones under development, there are 23 areas that have been assigned to the National Strategic Project (PSN). In fact, some industrial areas also have status as Special Economic Zone (KEK).

"Of the 27 industrial areas, as many as seven areas have started operations, 10 areas are still construction phase, and the remaining 10 areas are in completion of planning," said Imam.

The seven industrial areas that are already operating are mostly outside Java, including Palu Industrial Estate, Central Sulawesi (KEK status), Morowali Industrial Area, Central Sulawesi, Konawe Industrial Area, Southeast Sulawesi, Bantaeng Industrial Estate, South Sulawesi, Sei Mangkei Industrial Estate , North Sumatra, Dumai Industrial Area, Riau, and Industrial Area Wilmar Serang, Banten.

"Industrial estates under construction are expected within two to three years to be ready to operate. In the meantime, the industrial area under construction, it is estimated that within one to two years ahead the construction phase begins," said Imam.

Previously, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto confirmed, it is trying to attract both foreign and domestic investors to expand their business to the industrial area outside Java. Moreover, the industrial area is included in the list of national strategic projects to prioritize its development.

"We focus on accelerating the development of industrial areas outside Java, as one of the efforts of the national economic equity, including in the development of small and medium industries," he said.

According to Minister of Industry, the development of industrial area especially outside Java has a significant role to accelerate the ideals of the government to realize Indonesia centric.

Several months ago, the Minister of Industry and related stakeholders paid a working visit to South Korea and Japan and held meetings with Chinese delegates. This effort is to increase investment in Indonesia. Moreover, Indonesia managed to achieve investment grade rating or investment worthy given by S & P.

Airlangga assess, the prospects of industrial development in Indonesia is still promising as the demand for industrial land is increasing. To that end, industrial zones must be interconnected and integrated.

"So industrial area managers must synergize with the local government in solving various problems that arise," he explained.

To date, a total of 73 registered industrial companies are members of the Association of Industrial Zones (HKI) with a total area of ​​54,650.52 Ha. "The industrial area has succeeded in realizing the operation of the manufacturing industry in which as many as 9,200 companies are able to absorb the labor of 3.68 million people," said Airlangga.