The existence of Special Economic Zones (SEZ) has a positive impact on Indonesia's economic growth. The Ministry of Industry noted an increase in export performance in a number of these areas. Eko Cahyanto, Director General of Resilience, Regional and International Industrial Access, Ministry of Industry, noted that the export value of SEZ Sei Mangkei, Simalungun reached Rp. 5.18 trillion at the end of 2020. "Meanwhile SEZ Palu recorded export revenues of around Rp. 79.9 billion," he said, Thursday, December 2, 2021. The size of this export is projected to increase this year as the Covid-19 pandemic begins to subside. This can be seen from the data for the first semester of 2021 which shows that the existence of SEZs in Indonesia has facilitated export activities of Rp. 3.66 trillion.
With the addition of the number of SEZs to 19 locations, it is expected to encourage export-oriented production. There are 19 SEZs in various regions consisting of 11 industrial SEZs and eight tourism SEZs. Of the 11 industrial SEZs, eight of them are already operating, while the rest are under construction. Exploration of export potential in various SEZs that have been operating is also carried out by a number of ministries/agencies. The Directorate General of Customs and Excise massively provides assistance to local governments and local entrepreneurs for customs affairs, so they can understand the important requirements for exporting and eventually become an export actor. Last Friday, December 3, Customs and Excise provided assistance and outreach to dozens of entrepreneurs regarding the ease of doing business in the Gresik SEZ. Customs and Excise is committed to fully supporting all business actors in the SEZ as part of the national economic recovery. "Moreover, later the goods produced can be export-oriented so that it will increase state revenue," said Head of the East Java Customs I Regional Office, Padmoyo Tri Wikanto.
The urge to export is also carried out by the Indonesian Export Financing Agency (LPEI) through the Coaching Program for New Exporters (CPNE). This program has produced 75 business actors who market their products abroad for the first time. LPEI has organized CPNE in Medan, Surakarta, Denpasar, Kendal, Demak, Manado and Bandung. The majority of business actors are engaged in the food and beverage sector, craft, furniture, spices and coffee commodities. Since 2015, LPEI has provided training and assistance to nearly 1,000 export-oriented business actors in several cities in Indonesia through CPNE activities. This free training and assistance is provided to export-oriented MSME players for one year in certain areas in order to increase capacity to produce quality new exporters.
