BANTAENG, RAKYAT NEWS— The Sulawesi Barat or West Sulawesi (Sulbar) provincial government continued its innovative work study in Bantaeng on Wednesday, August 1, 2024. Acting Governor of Sulbar, Bahtiar Baharuddin, led a delegation of regional officials to visit the smelting facilities of PT Huadi Bantaeng Industrial Park (HBIP).

Huadi Inc. or PT.Huadi is a company operating a smelting plant within the Bantaeng Industrial Zone (KIBA) in Indonesia. The company specializes in processing nickel ore, which it sources from mining operations in Southeast Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi. PT Huadi’s facility covers an area of 100 hectares and plays a significant role in the local economy by contributing substantial revenue to the local government and providing employment to a large number of local residents.

KIBA stands for Kawasan Industri Bantaeng, which translates to *Bantaeng Industrial Zone. It is an industrial area located in Bantaeng, South Sulawesi, Indonesia.

KIBA is designed to attract and accommodate industrial investments and businesses, providing infrastructure and facilities to support various industries, including manufacturing and processing. The zone aims to boost local economic development by creating jobs, generating revenue, and promoting industrial growth in the region.

The delegation included key officials such as Muh Jaun, Premier Assistant  for Social and Welfare Affairs; Muchtar, Second Assistant for Economic Affairs; Rachmat, Head of Public Works Department; Abdul Wahab, Head of Social Services; Safaruddin, Head of Youth and Sports Department; Suyuti Marzuki, Head of Marine and Fisheries Department; Junda Maulana, Head of Regional Planning Agency; Andi Farid Amri, Head of Transportation Regional Office; and Masriadi, Head of Financial Management Agency, among others.

They were welcomed by PT Huadi’s Director, Lily Dewi Candigenara, and Yos, a representative of the company’s owner, along with the Bantaeng Regional Secretary. In his introductory remarks, Acting Governor Bahtiar explained the purpose of the visit. He highlighted the remarkable transformation of Bantaeng, which was once barren but has now flourished, partly due to investments like those from PT Huadi, which employs 85 percent of local residents. Bantaeng’s Regional Secretary, Muh. Rivai Nur, supported this observation.

“Previously, this area was very arid. During the tenure of  Nurdin Abdullah (former Governor of South Sulawesi and Bantaeng’s regent), we established the Bantaeng Industrial Zone (KIBA). We actively approached investors with presentations, and Pak NA instructed us not to return until we secured the principle permit,” Rivai stated.

PT Huadi operates a smelting plant on a 100-hectare site within the Bantaeng Industrial Zone. The company sources nickel ore from mines in Southeast Sulawesi and Central Sulawesi. Since its establishment in Bantaeng, PT Huadi has contributed IDR 5 billion per month to the local government’s revenue.

Lily Dewi Candigenara, PT Huadi’s Director, acknowledged that Bantaeng initially did not attract investor interest, including from PT Huadi itself. However, she praised the local government, particularly the regional leaders, for their support and trust in investors, including efficient services and human resources.

Lily expressed hope that the Sulawesi Barat government’s visit would be beneficial for PT Huadi and anticipated the possibility of future investments in Sulawesi Barat. “We hope that what we have achieved can benefit the people of Sulbar. We look forward to potentially visiting Sulbar or exploring new investment opportunities there. We aim for a fruitful synergy,” she said.

Rachmat, Head of Sulbar’s Public Works Department, noted the valuable insights and experiences gained from the visit to Huadi. He emphasized the importance of clear industrial zoning and land mapping for attracting investors. He believes that the presence of large companies in Sulbar would significantly boost the local economy. “Upon returning, we will conduct land mapping to identify investment opportunities in Sulbar, especially if Huadi shows interest,” Rachmat added. (Uki Ruknuddin)