Amidst the current stable national economy, the Indonesian government is seizing various opportunities to drive economic transformation, particularly through green economic initiatives aimed at enhancing public welfare. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that Indonesia's economy is performing well on a global scale, ranking among the top G20 nations. Following the implementation of the National Strategic Projects on March 18, 2024, the Wiraraja Industrial Estate in Batam City is expected to significantly contribute to the national economy. Hartarto highlighted Indonesia's strong economic indicators, with an average growth rate of 5% and low inflation at 2.13% in July. The Riau Islands province also recorded 4.9% growth in the second quarter, positioning itself as a key gateway for investment in Indonesia, particularly due to its numerous Special Economic Zones (SEZs). The Wiraraja Industrial Estate, named after the influential 13th-century figure Aria Wiraraja, is evolving into a hub for renewable energy companies, including manufacturers of solar modules, sodium-ion batteries, and semiconductors. These companies are projected to bring in new investments totaling IDR17.6 trillion from both domestic and foreign sources, such as the United States, Germany, Taiwan, and Singapore, while creating 36,150 jobs.
During the Grand Launching of the Wiraraja Green Renewable Energy and Smart-Eco Industrial Park (GESEIP), Hartarto also witnessed the signing of agreements for natural gas supply and infrastructure development within the estate. He emphasized the importance of semiconductor development in the digital era and the government's preparation of human resources to support this sector. The Wiraraja Industrial Estate is actively contributing to Batam's industrial growth, which, in turn, supports the Riau Islands' stable economic growth of 4.9% in Q2 2024, with the manufacturing sector accounting for 41% of the region's GDP. Hartarto expressed confidence that the SEZ and free trade zone status of the Riau Islands would enable it to compete with regional players like Johor, Malaysia. He also visited PT Atelier Solar Indonesia, a solar module manufacturing company with a USD30 million investment that employs 150 skilled workers.
