IKN Nusantara Development to Realize Economic Equality

Kalimantan – The Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the development of IKN Nusantara is the government's effort to realize economic equality in Indonesia. 

"Currently, Indonesia's economic turnover is centered in Java Island with gross domestic product (GDP) reaching 58 percent of the national GDP," President Widodo said at the Nusantara Hotel Construction Groundbreaking Ceremony, in the IKN Area, Penajam Paser Utara, East Kalimantan, on Thursday. 

According to President Jokowi, Java Island is a magnet for all residents in Indonesia, especially to Jakarta. 

"Therefore, this burden is too heavy and must be reduced. It used to be Java-centric, now it's Indonesia-centric so that there is equal distribution of economic growth and equal distribution of several people we have," the Head of State explained. 

Since last year, the Government has started the construction of IKN Nusantara, starting from the Government Center Core Area (KIPP) which consists of the Presidential Palace and Vice Presidential Palace along with basic infrastructure and ministry buildings.

The infrastructure being built is a toll road connecting Balikpapan and IKN which is targeted for completion in the coming year. The existence of this infrastructure will cut travel time from Balikpapan to IKN from the previous 1.5 to 2 hours to about 30 minutes.

"The construction of the Balikpapan to Nusantara toll road has started which is much shorter (the trip) will be approximately 30 to 30 minutes from Balikpapan to Nusantara," the President informed. 

In addition, the government will also start construction of an airport that can be accessed in about 15 minutes from the IKN area.

"We also hope that in July, maximum early August, it can be completed," the President said. 

The President is optimistic that the completion of road and airport infrastructure development will attract more investors to invest in the IKN Nusantara area.