Breaking New Ground
Special Economic Zone status means that the Tanjung Kelayang area will see fast- tracked development and a boost to tourism numbers
Road as a consortium of companies under The Dharmawangsa Group has commenced the groundbreaking of Tanjung Kelayang by Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, as one of 10 new tourism Special Economic Zones (SEZS).
The project has been recognised as the fastest-developing SEZS in Indonesia compared with the development of SEZ Sei Mangkei, SEZ Tanjung Lesung, SEZ Morotai and SEZ Tanjung Api-api, which are expected to start within the next 3 years after being established as an SEZ.
The plan to expand the SEZS was established by President Joko Widodo. Under a government regulation, these zones must be ready for operation by 2019. The project was undertaken by Belitung Maritime Silk Road (BMSR) in Tanjung Kelayang based on a joint effort between the central government, the government of Bangka Belitung province, and Belitung’s local government.
“This project has served as a proof of a synergised cooperation between the central and local governments,” said Mr Yahya. “As a company with an outstanding reputation and record, Belitung Maritime Silk Road as both the developer and administrator has been able to show a great commitment to making this project happen.”
BMSR’S first hospitality project was a hotel with 98 rooms and 30 villas called “the Kapitein House” an Indonesian heritage area with at Dutch-era theme covering an area of 7.4 hectares.
A second hospitality project is to develop a Majapahit-heritage design concept covering an area of 25.38 hectares. BMSR will continue this huge development by building hotels and resorts to international standards, as well as 10 other facilities including a marine centre, residential villas, and natural farm homestays. Business in the SEZS can enjoy tax holiday, 80 years HGB land title, more relaxed customs and immigration, as well as expedited process for permits.
Other than being a Special Economic Zones, Tanjung Kelayang has also been set as one of 10 prioritised National Tourism Destinations because of its exotic similar
beaches to those in the Maldives, and it expected to become the “second Bali”. Tanjung Kelayang is located in Keciput village, Sijuk sub-district, Belitung, approximately 27 kilometres from the city centre, Tanjungpandan. It can be reached in approximately 30-40 minutes.
As a destination, Tanjung Kelayang is well worth a visit for its beautiful scenery, white sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, fresh and sweet sea breezes, and vibrant tourism destinations around the area. The icon of Tanjung Kelayang is the Kelayang Stones, which were also the mascot for the Sail Wakatobi–belitong 2011 event for Belitung—the stones are, in fact, the reason the beach is called Tanjung Kelayang. Another charm of Tanjung Kelayang is the small islands that surround it, such as Lengkuas Island, Batu Berlayar Island, Tanjung Tinggi Beach, and Bird Island, which are picture perfect, especially during sunsets. Belitung Island itself is an ideal place for a short getaway during which visitors can enjoy water sport activities, as well as trekking and cycling, and it is a haven for photographers.
With the vast development on the almost 180,000-hectare island, the government hopes to see an increase in tourists to Belitung to as many as 500,000 foreign tourists, a 50-fold increase compared with 2014 numbers. The central government also plans to bring in 20 million visitors to Indonesia by 2019, supported by Belitung International Airport, which is set to start operating before January 2017.