Spanish Ambassador to Indonesia, H.E. Mr. Fransisco de Asis Aguilera Aranda, visited the proposed site for a new export port in Balong Village, Kembang District, Jepara, accompanied by Jepara Regent Witiarso Utomo on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. The site, located on Mahbang Beach within the PTPN IX Balong area, is part of an ambitious project valued at approximately IDR 71 trillion. This visit follows prior discussions in Jakarta between the Spanish Embassy and local officials. Also in attendance were key figures from Jepara’s regional government, the Spanish-Portuguese Bilateral Committee of the Chamber of Commerce, and local leaders from Balong. Ambassador Fransisco expressed optimism about the project, stating that it was an exciting initiative and reaffirmed Spain's readiness to support Jepara, particularly in areas like construction management and port operations.
The export port is planned to be integrated with an industrial zone, covering 900 hectares of land currently held by Perhutani and PTPN IX. Jepara’s local government has been actively coordinating with national authorities, PT Pelindo, and potential investors—including parties from China—to advance the project. Regent Witiarso emphasized his administration's commitment to realizing the international port while taking into account community feedback. Following the site visit, he met with village leaders and residents to gauge public sentiment. Community representatives voiced conditional support, urging for environmental safeguards and local involvement in the development process to ensure that the IDR 71 trillion investment benefits the surrounding population.
