JAKARTA, Indonesia, Oct. 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Indonesia's President Joko Widodo officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for PT Freeport Indonesia's (PTFI) new copper smelter at Special Economic Zone Java Integrated Industrial and Port Estate (SEZ JIIPE) Gresik, East Java. The 1.7 million MT Copper Smelter and Precious metals refinery being built in JIIPE is a project to strengthen the national downstream metals industry in Indonesia.   JIIPE is a strategic national project jointly promoted by PT AKR Corporindo Tbk., (AKRA.IJ) along with State owned Pelindo III which integrates industrial estate with deep seaport and other utilities.

"The arrival of PTFI in the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) JIIPE in Gresik will be a strong pull factor for other industries to invest in Indonesia, especially those in the copper derivatives industry. We will keep supporting the development of infrastructure, as well as easing business processes. In addition, the local government of East Java province and district of Gresik will contribute to meeting the human resources needs of SEZ Gresik to make Indonesia more attractive as an investment destination," said President Widodo.

During a back-to-back event, Coordinating Minister of Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, also officially handed over SEZ status to JIIPE Gresik and inaugurated it as a Development and Management Entity (BUPP).

Hartarto said, "Currently we have 15 out of 19 SEZs in operation, with a total investment of 64.4 trillion rupiahs, that has generated over 30,000 new jobs and total exports of 38 trillion rupiahs. Today, SEZ Gresik officially receives its status as Special economic zone as per Government Regulation No 71. The designation marks a milestone in the development of a chosen brownfield site chosen to become a new export and advanced technology-oriented powerhouse."

With the addition of BUPP status, JIIPE will be authorised to handle all business licensing requests for investors under one roof, such as the issuing of building permits, environmental impact assessment certificates (AMDAL), and operational permits.

President Director of AKR Corporindo Haryanto Adikoesoemo said, "With SEZ and BUPP status now legally confirmed, investors will be able to do business in comfort.  Our strategy in JIIPE is to build clusters of supply chains, provide utilities at competitive prices and an integrated deep seaport.  This will enable our tenants operate efficiently and be competitive not only in Indonesia but also in the region".

For more information on SEZ JIIPE, please visit jiipe.com.