Speech by Minister Desmond Lee at MOU Signing on Manpower Placement, Training and Supply between Kendal Regency, Kendal Industrial Park and Indonesia's Ministry of Industry
Mar 24, 2022
I am happy to see that the progress in Kendal Industrial Park (KIP) has been nothing short of impressive. In the short time since Kendal Industrial Park was inaugurated in 2016 by President Jokowi and Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the development has attracted 72 committed tenants with investments valued at US$1.7 billion. The tenants are diverse and there has been good interest from international investors.
Now this would not have been possible without the strong support of Jababeka and Sembcorp, as well as the leaders at the National and Regional levels, such as Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Bapak Airlangga Hartarto, and Central Java Governor, Bapak Ganjar Pranowo – both of whom I’ve had the pleasure of meeting yesterday for good meetings, and of course, Bapak Dico Ganinduto, Regent of Kendal, whom I have the distinct honour of meeting today. The collaborative effort between Singapore and Indonesian companies in developing Kendal Industrial Park underscores the close bilateral ties between our two countries.
In addition to bringing in foreign investors, a major success in Kendal Industrial Park has been in creating jobs. The 11,600 jobs being created will improve the livelihoods of the local community, improve lives.
Another important contribution of Kendal Industrial Park are the skills that are being imparted to the local community. Through the Link & Match Programme, 2,800 students have been matched with four companies in Kendal Industrial Park, with another 5,200 placements in the pipeline. This will ensure that there is a strong pipeline of local talent joining the workforce, and contributing to the growth of Kendal Industrial Park, and of Kendal and Central Java.
Looking ahead, Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry (MOI) and Kendal Industrial Park will be signing a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Kendal Regency to ensure that the people in Kendal continue to be equipped with the necessary knowledge and training, and matched with jobs in Kendal Industrial Park.
I would like to congratulate all the parties involved in this initiative, and thank the people of Central Java and Kendal for the support for this project. Indeed, this will be a win-win opportunity for everyone – it ensures that the manpower needs of Kendal Industrial Park are met, while providing good jobs for the people.
I thank you for your hospitality and warmth, for allowing me to visit you, to show the progress of Kendal Industrial Park, the innovation, strength and determination of the people, and the strong partnership between the Government in Jakarta, the Government in Kendal, in Central Java, the companies involved, the stakeholders all participating, and as Bapak Dico said earlier, collaboration is key, and that will make Kendal Industrial Park flourish for many years to come. Thank you and congratulations.