Netherlands Opens Collaboration Potential for IKN Projects
The Director General of the Dutch Foreign Economy, Michiel Sweers, visited IKN for the first time to explore cooperation.
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Director General of Dutch Foreign Economy Michiel Sweers when interviewed in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan, Saturday (27/4/2024).
Director General of Foreign Economy Netherland Michiel Sweers visited the capital of Nusantara or IKN for the first time on Friday (26/4/2024). This was a follow-up visit after two days previously Michiel met representatives of the Indonesian Government in Jakarta.
He discussed with a number of Indonesian officials regarding bilateral relations and explored opportunities for cooperation in the development of IKN. Among the topics discussed were investment and innovation, sustainable development, and the economic cooperation priorities of both countries in facing global challenges.
Michiel visited IKN to directly observe the progress of IKN's development and explore investment opportunities in IKN. He also met with civil society organizations to obtain other information and understanding about IKN.
Also read: There will not be as many participants at the August 17 2024 ceremony at IKN as last year
In general, the Netherlands is the eighth largest foreign investor in Indonesia in 2023. The value of its investment reaches 1.3 billion US dollars. The Netherlands is also the largest source of foreign direct investment for Indonesia in Europe.
Michiel's visit is to explore economic opportunities and investment potential in IKN and to identify any challenges that need to be addressed. This will serve as a basis for establishing cooperation between the Netherlands and Indonesia in IKN.
After visiting IKN, Kompas interviewed Michiel Sweers in Balikpapan City, East Kalimantan, on Saturday (27/4/2024), before he returned to Jakarta. The following is an excerpt from the interview.
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Morning atmosphere in the Nusantara Capital development area, East Kalimantan, Monday (1/1/2024).
What is your initial impression of the IKN location on Kalimantan Island?
The IKN project is an ambitious project, not only a big project for Indonesia, but also for the world. It is impressive to see what the Indonesian government is trying to build and how they are accelerating the construction.
Moreover, if the construction of IKN has an impact on the economic growth of Kalimantan and its surrounding areas as predicted by the Government of Indonesia. However, of course, to the best of my knowledge, this is also a project with many challenges.
Apart from infrastructure and buildings, around IKN there are also people who already lived there. What kind of development do you think is important to consider in IKN?
In my opinion, broadly speaking there are two main challenges. First, biodiversity and nature. Building a city like IKN in a sensitive area that has a lot of biodiversity is a challenge.
On the other hand, the development of the IKN requires a lot of people. Bringing in many people to the IKN needs to be done inclusively because there are people already living here.
I have discussed with several non-governmental organizations around the IKN. They have openly shared about the IKN project, including sharing the challenges they face.
In my opinion, it is important to involve groups like this in the development of the National Islamic University (IKN). For example, having an open dialogue with the community, being honest about all the dilemmas faced, and how the Indonesian Government will solve them. I believe that this will greatly help make the project better and more inclusive.
Of course, this is something that we also attempt to do in the Netherlands when there are large infrastructure projects. It's not always easy, but it can be a space for sharing experiences and learning from one another.
Also read: IKN Will Soon Open to Foreign Investors
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The Presidential Palace is still under construction in the Archipelago Capital area, East Kalimantan, Monday (1/1/2024).
How can the Netherlands contribute to IKN's vision of becoming an environmentally friendly city?
There are many ways. This is the first time I have visited IKN. Of course, we will share the information and experience of this visit with companies and researchers in the Netherlands.
The Netherlands has a lot of specific knowledge and experience in sustainable city management. Some of them are nature-based solutions, water management, prevention of urban floods, as well as handling and developing coastal areas. In addition, the Netherlands also has experts in sustainable development and biodiversity.
There are many Dutch experts and companies who can contribute.
What can the Netherlands and Indonesia do to build a climate-resilient IKN?
Yes, it is a huge challenge for a project as large as IKN. Building a city like this can be a big challenge for any country in the world. We must find solutions to overcome this.
For example, I have received information that the Government of Indonesia plans to only use electric vehicles in IKN. I believe that this is a good ambition, but also challenging. It requires infrastructure to charge all those electric vehicles.
The use of electric vehicles is easily found in the Netherlands. We have also built infrastructure for electric vehicles. Perhaps that's where we can exchange knowledge.
In your opinion, from this visit to IKN, what kind of knowledge exchange might be possible between Indonesia and the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has many research institutions, both on campus and in excellent applied research institutions. For example, currently Deltares - a research institution that focuses on delta technology water management - is working on a project here, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB). They are studying the coastal area and preparing nature-based solutions, such as how to manage mangrove forests.
Another example, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been implemented between the IKN Authority and three universities in the Netherlands, namely Leiden University, Delft University of Technology, and Erasmus University Rotterdam.
The MoU is for research regarding sustainable development and smart cities. We support Dutch universities and research institutions in carrying out similar activities and collaborating with Indonesia.
Also read: The IKN Authority Admits There Are Still 2,086 Hectares of Problematic Land in IKN
How does the Netherlands view the IKN project which wants to become a model of sustainable and innovative city development?
The world is watching the development of IKN. This is an important and ambitious project in a sensitive area, which may have high biodiversity. Even the Dutch parliament has carefully discussed the process. They asked us and I will explain what is happening in IKN.
I think there are several things that the Indonesian government can do. First of all, they should do what has already been planned and communicated to the public. The National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (IKN) is meant to be a forest city, so make it happen.
Consider also its impact, not only for IKN, but also the surrounding areas. If many people come to move here, the effects will not only be on the city itself, but also on the nearby cities, suburbs, and supporting infrastructure.
Achieve your ambition, make this project environmentally friendly, and do it transparently and openly. So, in my opinion, it is also important for Indonesia to share its experience in this project: the level of its success, what failed, what dilemmas were faced, how Indonesia found solutions to existing issues, and sharing knowledge with the whole world. If Indonesia realizes all the indicators that have been created in building IKN, I think it can become an example for the world.
How can this visit pave the way for a long-term partnership between the Netherlands and Indonesia in building IKN?
We are a close partner with Indonesia and have been operating for several decades. In addition to visiting IKN, I also visited Jakarta on Wednesday (24/4/2024) and Thursday (25/4/2024).
As good friends, I feel that regular visits are necessary. We also see many Indonesian delegations coming to the Netherlands to exchange experiences in order to establish good relationships.
On Thursday, April 25th, 2024, I met with the Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries in Jakarta. The meeting discussed the action plan that we had jointly created. We collaborated in various fields, such as in health, infrastructure and transportation, economic development, politics, and we discussed them in person and regularly.
We also included IKN in the conversation. Because, IKN is an important and ambitious project for Indonesia.
Is there anything else you want to say?
I traveled around Indonesia for three days. I greatly appreciate how we were received here by the Indonesian government, both at IKN and during the two days in Jakarta. I am comfortable with the open dialogue that has been conducted. I am glad to be here and want to come back again.
