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North Kalimantan Aspires to be Benchmark for Sustainable Development
WINDONESIA September 21, 2024
Aerial portrait over a part of North Kalimantan. (Tribun Kaltara)
North Kalimantan Governor Zainal A. Paliwang stated that North Kalimantan has abundant natural resource potential, with the 7.5 million hectare province also having great potential in the renewable energy, fisheries, forestry, and tourism sectors.
"We (Kaltara) have quite large natural gas reserves, very promising water and solar energy potential, and extraordinary biological wealth," he said while opening Sustainable Inclusive Economics Development (SIED) Expo 2024 in Tanjung Selor District, Bulungan Regency, North Kalimantan.
Zainal added that North Kalimantan is currently building the Indonesian Green Industrial Area (KIHI) Tanah Kuning-Mangkupadi by utilizing said natural resources and its strategic geographic location. The national strategic project is being constructed in Bulungan Regency.
In addition, the 9,000 Mega Watt (MW) Kayan River hydroelectric power plant (HPP) in Bulungan Regency and the 1,475 MW Mentarang River HPP in Malinau Regency are also being built.
Zainal explained that one of SIED Expo's main focuses is sustainable development. The North Kalimantan Provincial Government is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net zero emission by 2045, in line with the targets set by the central government.
"We want to make North Kalimantan an example of sustainable development in Indonesia," he said.
The 2024 SIED Expo, which has "North Kalimantan Development Strategy Through Inclusive and Sustainable Economic Transformation Towards Golden Indonesia 2045" as its theme, was held in the hall of the North Kalimantan Provincial Government's Joint Offices Building.
"We are optimistic that the activity will build the foundation of sustainable development and encourage investment in various sectors," Zainal conveyed.
He said that the SIED Expo provides an important momentum for North Kalimantan to strengthen collaboration between the government, private sector, and community to develop the region.
"Through the expo, we want to create a conducive ecosystem for investment and development of the green economy," Zainal divulged.
During the same occasion, the North Kalimantan Provincial Government also established strategic partnerships with various parties, including the central government, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and business actors. The collaboration is expected to accelerate the achievement of North Kalimantan regional development goals.
SIED Expo 2024 is believed to be the first step for North Kalimantan to become a new center of economic growt by pivoting from the dominance of the conventional economy, such as the mining sector, to a green economy, such as through the development of KIHI Tanah Kuning-Mangkupadi.
Source: kaltara.tribunnews.com
