Batam (ANTARA) – Indonesia’s transmigration minister said the government would follow up on four recommendations from Germany’s Technical University of Munich (TUM) and Diponegoro University (Undip) to develop the Rempang Eco-City transmigration area in Batam, Riau Islands.
Muhammad Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanagara said the recommendations covered land management and agroforestry, environmental management, community capacity building, and economic development through marine tourism.
“First, we will implement all four recommendations,” Iftitah said in Tanjung Banon, Rempang Island, Batam, Riau Islands, according to a statement confirmed on Sunday.
The study’s findings had been discussed with officials from the Ministry of Transmigration to develop initiatives involving local communities and strengthen the area’s economic self-reliance, he said.
For land management, the TUM team proposed agroforestry initiatives that would allow land to be used for agriculture, tree planting, and other cultivation activities.
To address erosion and improve water management, the researchers recommended replanting vegetation on slopes to curb erosion, building rainwater collection facilities, and improving waste and wastewater management in residential areas.
The team also proposed establishing a skills and activity center, or “skill hub,” where residents could learn English, food processing, and business skills, as well as participate in community activities.
For economic development, the recommendations focus on ecotourism and marine tourism, drawing on the area’s mangroves, fishing activities, micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and local culture.
Iftitah said several initiatives aligned with the recommendations had already been launched before the study’s findings were presented.
One such initiative is the construction of an observation tower in Tanjung Banon, which is expected to attract tourists and create business opportunities for local residents.
An increase in visitor numbers could generate new economic activity, including food and beverage businesses and tourism-related services, he said.
The government is also focusing on reforestation and rainwater harvesting to address environmental challenges in the area.
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Translator: Aria Ananda, Kuntum Khaira
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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