Aside from focusing on the main island and central government, the easternmost area in Indonesia has many potentials to look at. Investors need to consider looking at the West Papua capital city, Sorong. As one of the biggest cities in the region, Sorong comes with tons of potentials in helping the regional economy grow. Here are some of the potentials that are worth knowing.
The Sorong Potentials To Empower Local Economy
1. Agricultures
There are huge potentials of Sorong to become the powerhouse and economic power for the province. The place is a gateway to come in and out from the region. It is also close to many areas. Thus, creating it one of the most potential cities in the province. The idea itself appears from the natural resources potentials found on the island.
Agricultures wise, the city has it as one of the best commodities. The fact said that there are tons of plantations and crops exported or sold from the city. Some of them include Cacao, coconuts, and clove. Joko Widodo, the Indonesian president, states that the Sorong regency bore an enormous potential to be the major agricultural produces in eastern Indonesia.
Sorong number of plantations field in this west Papua capital surpasses a total of 7.000.000 hectares of food crops and horticulture. Some of them are 11.000 corn plants. The vast land, unfortunately, is only 33% fully utilized. That is why there is a movement by the Minister of Agriculture that has trained over 800 farmers and targeting of more than 2.000 to complete.
2. Farms (livestock)
The farming commodity on the island goes hand in hand with the plant crops. Sorong’s strategic location and geographical situation are known to support the farm business aptitudes. While it is one of the commodities, the need for animal livestock is also part of the local food security measurement. That is why Sorong needs to grow this potential.
The location itself has some animal livestock businesses. It is also a great island to raise beef cattle, goats, chickens, or pigs. In this case, Sorong has the location with the highest population of beef cattle. The locations are the Moisegen, Mayamuk, Segun, and Salawati district. However, the common management and development need support from the government.
3. Forestry
West Papua is known for its forest cover. While the main island has to fight deforestation, Sorong has enough forest land as its potential local commodities. The land reaches up to 11.864 ha which is separated into a protected forest and production. Local also open the protected forest as an eco-tourism which also help empower local economic rise.
4. Fishery And Marine
The region as a whole has a solid latent to be a major fish production. Some of the regencies in the province are also a part of the regional and international fish commodity. Sorong also has a huge marine biota as its business potentials. Sea harvests range from freshwater fish to open sea fishery. Some locals also procced the product into ready consume items, such as smoked fish.
Not only that, the fish and the marine market is getting bigger over time. Starting from fishery and harvest, the local and business potential in the region include culinary and tourism. In this case, sea production also helps elevate the local economy. It is especially true for the local and West Papua tourism sector growth.
Reasons Sorong Has Many Potentials
1. Strategic Position
The strategic position is shown by the fact that Sorong is one of the biggest cities in the region. It is a central hub that connects people from outside and inside the region. Thus, making it a central activity around the province. It turns out to be the best exposure on the local commodities and potentials, including for the natural resources, business, or tourism.
2. Geographic Condition
Geographically Sorong is a complete package. It has varying terrains that support many kinds of activities, such as tourism forests, protected forests, lowlands, hills, mountains, and slopes. It offers huge possibilities for locals to develop business and commodities, including farming, fishery, to tourism sites. It is also a strategic place for logistic and mining businesses to grow.
3. Economy Growth In Sorong
With all of that potentials, Sorong is part of the KEK or Special Economy zone (Kawasan Ekonomi Khusus. The program is meant to determine Sorong as the West Papua central development. It invites investors to the city and the eastern continents. Sorong’s economic growth also going positive with many factors, including the existence of harbor and airports in the city.
Considering its geographical capabilities, position, and capital city, Sorong has many potentials to offer. It economically growing town due to its gateway position. Tourist, investors, transactions, and transportation goes through Sorong. Sorong is not only the capital but also a place with huge potential to support the region.
