Tanjungpinang, Batamnews - Governor of Riau Islands, Ansar Ahmad, fulfilled the invitation to be a keynote speaker in Istanbul, Turkey. 

Ansar promoted Kawasan Perdagangan Bebas dan Pelabuhan Bebas or KPBPB (KPBPB - Free Trade and Free Port Area) in Capacity Development activities on International Trade and the Global Halal Chain in Turkey Monday (17/10/2022).

Ansar, also the Chairman of the KPBPB Regional Council, was in Turkey with officials of the Regional Council and each of the KPBPB Business Entities (BP) Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and Tanjungpinang. 

Also present were 2 Assistant of the Riau Islands Provincial Government, Luki Zaiman, Head of PTSP Hasfarizal Handra, Head of Trade Aries Fhariandi, Head of Communication and Information Hasan, and Secretary of the KPBPB Regional Council, Syamsul Bahrum. 

From the central government present, Deputy for Coordination of Regional Development and Spatial Planning at the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Wahyu Utomo, Assistant Deputy for Strengthening Regional Competitiveness Kartika Listriana, Assistant Deputy for Economic Strategy Area Development Planning Tulus Hutagalung and First Expert Policy Analyst Imam Wahyudi. 

This is momentum for Ansar to accelerate investment in KPBPB Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and Tanjungpinang. 

One potential sector to develop in this region is the production of semi-finished goods to be exported and entered into global supply chains. 

With the large potential of resources and markets for halal products, the development of the halal industry can be a strategic option in KPBPB. 

The capacity development activity is one way to deepen information and explore cooperation between the Indonesian government and the Turkish government in the context of developing the halal industry in KPBPB Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and Tanjungpinang. 

"The opportunity doesn't come twice. When we are intensively promoting our region to the outside world to accelerate economic growth through investment. Alhamdulillah, there is this invitation. Of course, we must catch this opportunity quickly.

Moreover, we have great potential to sell through various facilities in KPBPB Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and Tanjungpinang. The problem with the results is later. The important thing is that we are serious about doing it first, "said Ansar. 

The central government has full responsibility for all regional developments up to the district and city levels, including investment. Accelerating investment in the Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and Tanjungpinang Free Trade and Free Port Areas is one of the priority agendas currently being pushed by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs as Chairman of the Regional Council. 

The Master Plan for the Development of the KPBPB Batam, Bintan, Karimun, and Tanjung Pinang has been prepared. The development of the Halal Industry is one of the plans to be developed in KPBPB, which is expected to be integrated with the Global Halal Hub. 

"What is clear, as stated in the invitation, is that this activity aims to improve the ability, skills, and comprehensive insight into the Global Halal Hub for the Regional Council, KPBPB Business Entity, and local government. This activity also presents strategic partners in Turkey, such as representatives of the Turkish Ministry of Trade, Standards and Metrology Institute for Islamic Countries (SMIIC)," he said.