Purwakarta
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| The H Djuanda: multi-purpose dam on the Citarum river |
urwakarta was one of the most attractive investment destinations in Indonesia last year. Regional Autonomy Watch (KPPOD), a Jakarta-based non-governmental organisation, awarded the prestigious title to the kabupaten at the beginning of 2004.
KPPOD
came to its conclusion after examining a series of criteria including
local regulations, government services, socio-political factors, regional
economic dynamism, labour productivity and physical infrastructure.
“Purwakarta
is fortunate to be located in the hinterland of Jakarta. We exploit
Jakarta’s potential and absorb it ourselves,” says Bupati
Lili Hambali. “We have
recognised industry as a core business and the people of Purwakarta
are very open to foreign investment,” he adds.
“We want to have a dynamic community here. The key to this is communication and transparency as well improving education. Our basic strategies focus on three areas: education, health and religion, all of which are needed to improve the quality of our human resources. Our four core businesses are agribusiness, trade services, industry and tourism.”
One of the kabupaten’s most attractive assets, which is both an economic resource and a tourist destination, is the Jatilhur reservoir. The H Djuanda multi-purpose dam on the Citarum river is one of the most amazing works of engineering built anywhere in Southeast Asia.
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Opened in 1967, it holds back the largest artificial lake in Indonesia and provides irrigation for nearly 300,000 hectares of rice fields. It also produces about 900 million kWh of electricity per year and supplies 80 per cent of Jakarta’s water. The fisheries at Jatilhur and another lake supply most of Jakarta, West Java and Sumatra with 10,000 tons of fish per year.
It
is also a perfect place to go and relax. “Our core business is
to develop the lakes for tourism alongside the
irrigation and fisheries that currently use it,” says Mr Hambali.
Facilities
around the lake include swimming pools, tennis courts, cottages, speedboats
for water-skiing
and a camping ground. The lake is surrounded by exquisite tropical scenery.
It also benefits from a
delightful crisp and cool climate.
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