Regency harness es the p eople’s creativity
KUTAI KARTANEGARA IS HOME TO SOME OF THE LARGEST COMPANIES IN EAST KALIMANTAN AND HAS RECEIVED BACKING FROM FIRMS LIKE TOTALFINAELF

DR. H. SYAUKANI Regent of Kutai Kartanegara

For Dr. H. Syaukani, the regent of Kutai Kartanegara Regency in East Kalimantan, the move to greater autonomy is a welcome measure to improve the welfare of his citizens. “We are now in a new period, establishing the policies of our local government,” he says.
“The regions should empower themselves and make use of the creativity of their people. I see our region as having special
potential, as we have large reserves of natural gas, oil, coal, gold and extensive forests, as well as vast areas for agriculture, fisheries and plantations,” he says.
Kutai Kartanegara is one of four districts of the previous administrative area of Kutai . The regency has successfully attracted major international companies such as TotalFinaElf, and some of the largest companies in East Kalimantan province are located there, including a liquefied natural gas (LNG) plant and a fertilizer manufacturer. There are also foreign investors involved in logging and forestry, plantations and coal mining.

“Now, with the new regulations, the administration is working even harder to develop the area and make it an attractive destination for both investors and tourists,” says Dr. Syaukani. “My goal is to increase the living standards of the people of Kutai.”
The regency administration has decided that the best way to promote the area is via the internet, and its website (www.kutaipromo.com) outlines a wide range of investment possibilities.
Economic growth last year was above seven percent, indicating how rapidly this region is developing. Dr. Syaukani says, “We are totally motivated and optimistic about our prospects. Investors are most welcome in Kutai. Let them come and see for themselves.”
The administration has also put together a special development program, called Gerbang Dayaki, which is designed to tackle rural and urban poverty, improve infrastructure and increase agricultural output. Cooperation with a cement factory on the island of Sulawesi is enabling Kutai Kartanegara to pave its roads. Dr. Syaukani hopes the program will be completed by the end of next year.
“We have 194 villages, 18 sub-districts and a population of about 482,000. So we are talking about nearly half a million people whose livelihoods could benefit from this program,” he says.
There are no roads to some villages and so river transportation is the only means of getting around. However, within the next five years, it is hoped that the regency’s more remote communities will be linked to the road network.

HANDICRAFT INDUSTRIES and adventure tourism are being targeted for investment.

Modernization of the agricultural sector is under way, in order for it to meet international standards, and in industry foreign investment will be directed into the production of timber products, such as plywood, pulp and paper, as well as to food processing and handicrafts.
Most goods transported to and from Kutai Kartanegara go through the river port of Samarinda, but many of the foreign companies present have their own port facilities, mainly for timber and coal.
In September the regency will start promoting tourism, especially adventure tourism, which is regarded as one of the most promising sub-sectors. A number of areas have been identified for investment, including the development of Kumala Island in Tenggarong, the capital of the regency. Among the plans are a freshwater dolphin aquarium, an artificial lake for fishing, and a ‘dragon boat’ for visitors to reach the island.

Other projects include the creation of a natural orchid habitat at Nusa Tuna, a resort at Tanah Merha beach, eco-tourism developments at Semayang and Melintang lakes, adventure tourism along the Mahakam River, and a golf course, shopping center and new hotels in Tenggarong. A three-star hotel is being completed this year and more hotels are needed to cope with an expected influx in visitors over the next few years.
Without giving too much away the Kutai Kartanegara administration is planning to get its tourism promotion program off to a big start. “We are looking at hosting a major national or international event to help advertise ourselves overseas and at the moment we are in negotiations with some leading consultancies,” says Dr. Syaukani.