Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Arsjad Rasjid, stated that the new capital city, Ibu Kota Nusantara (IKN), is expected to become a key part of new economic growth in Borneo, also known as Kalimantan. Speaking in Jakarta on Monday, July 22, 2024, Arsjad highlighted the potential for economic interconnectivity within Borneo, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. One of Kadin’s initiatives to support IKN was the establishment of the Borneo Economic Community during the Borneo Business Roundtable in 2023. According to Arsjad, IKN symbolizes a shift from a Java-centric to an Indonesia-centric development approach, promoting balanced national growth.

Arsjad emphasized that the presence of IKN could significantly boost the green economy, leveraging Kalimantan’s abundant green economic resources such as hydro energy. This potential could facilitate the development of environmentally friendly data centers and position Indonesia as a green hydrogen exporter. He urged that IKN be viewed not just as a capital city but as a catalyst for the development of both green and blue economies. President Joko Widodo recently signed Presidential Regulation No. 75 of 2024, aimed at accelerating the development of IKN. This regulation outlines incentives for prospective investors and business operators involved in building services and facilities in IKN, along with business licensing facilities to support these endeavors.

Source: https://www.rri.co.id/nasional/845734/ikn-dorong-pertumbuhan-ekonomi-baru-di-pulau-borneo