Seoul, Republic of Korea – April 4, 2024 – The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Green Growth for Special Economic Zones (SEZs) with the Secretariat General of the National Council for Special Economic Zone (NCSEZ), Republic of Indonesia. The MoU will extend and strengthen the long collaboration between both parties in greening Indonesia’s SEZs, which started in 2015. It will provide a legal umbrella for pursuing joint efforts in future green SEZ developments.  

“The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI) marks a pivotal moment for us. This collaboration is not just a formality but a commitment towards a shared vision of sustainable development and green growth,” said Mr. Rizal Edwin Manansang, Secretary General of the NCSEZ, Indonesia. Under the Green Growth Program Phase 3, NCSEZ will implement green SEZ guidelines developed with GGGI, through pilot projects in selected areas. Several green project opportunities have been identified in the Green Growth Program Phase 2, with a potential of more than USD 3 billion in economic benefits across multiple SEZs in Indonesia. “It is GGGI’s mission to support its Member States’ transition into a model of green growth. Greening Indonesia’s Special Economic Zones will not only boost sustainable economic growth but also create a wave of new green jobs,” stated Frank Rijsberman, GGGI Director-General.  

Green SEZs are envisioned to drive regional growth and deliver sustainable development co-benefits to the surrounding urban and rural areas. The growth comes from building green industrial estates and creating sustainable tourism areas. The activities cover many areas, ranging from green energy transition to fairtrade certification schemes for fishery products. Indonesia’s National SEZ Program successfully realized USD 11.18 billion in investments from 2009 to 2023 and is expected to attract USD 57.2 billion in investment by 2025. It has also created jobs for 120 thousand people. 

About National Council for Special Economic Zones, Republic of Indonesia  

The National Council for Special Economic Zones, a council consisting of seventeen ministries in Indonesia, aims to establish designated areas that can perform economic activities with specific facilities. The establishment of Special Economic Zones (SEZs) aims to foster a supportive environment for investment, export, and trade activities and act as a catalyst for economic growth and reform. The National Council for SEZ is mandated to regulate areas such as fiscal benefits, favorable taxation policies, and streamlined customs procedures.