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INDONESIA’S Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is pushing for basic infrastructure development plans in the Tanjung Kelayang Special Economic Zone, which is located on Belitung Island, Bangka Belitung Province
According to the Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno, said the development of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ aims to accelerate regional development as a breakthrough model for regional development for economic growth, including industry, tourism and the creative economy. So that later it can create the widest possible tourist attraction and employment opportunities.
“Belitung has become a very strategic tourism icon. For that, I encourage the development of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ in Belitung as a whole in order to improve its destinations, tourism products and creative economy products. As directed by the President so that we immediately prepare tourist areas that have the potential to increase the creative economy,” Sandiaga said.
He explained, previously, the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ was inaugurated by President Joko Widodo on March 14, 2019. This area is included in 10 priority tourism destinations that already have improvements in several aspects of tourism, ranging from amenities, access, tourist attractions, to creative economy products.
“In the last few years the development of this SEZ has increased. Belitung itself already has five-star hotel facilities with 108 ready-made rooms, as well as obtaining investment from prospective investors. This is one of the progress of SEZ development that we need to appreciate. In addition, in terms of amenities, access, tourist attractions, and products of the creative economy have also increased,” he noted.
One of the investors, for example PT. Setra Gita Nusantara, which invests in the Sheraton Belitung Resort and is expected to be followed up by other prospective investors.
With a total area of 324.4 hectares, the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ has the concept of Socially and Environmentally Responsible Development and Cultural Preservation tourism. The concept of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ is very much in line with the Ministry of Tourism’s strategy of promoting quality tourism and sustainable tourism. Therefore, the development of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ needs to be supported and implemented, so that the community also feels the benefits, especially jobs.
“Apart from the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ, it turns out that there are also the Sungai Liat SEZ and the Tanjung Gunung SEZ that we need to develop. In the development of the Tanjung Kelayang SEZ, there are several obstacles faced, including tax holidays related to regulations regarding tax incentives in SEZ and implementation of health protocols which are expected to run well,” he stated.
He added that we will help coordinate with Ministries/Agencies regarding this tax holiday. Then for the health protocol we will try to continue to improve, as well as carry out monitoring and evaluation.
Because according to Minister Sandiaga, part of the revival of tourism is no longer a matter of deciding whether to go or not to a tourism destination, but how to go to a destination by implementing strict and disciplined health protocols. [traveltext.id]
