Cimahi Techno Park to Boost the Economy of Innovation-Based City

Jakarta, InfoPublik – Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education Mohamad Nasir, accompanied by Head of the Technology Assessment and Application Agency (BPPT) Hammam Riza, Deputy Mayor of Cimahi Lieutenant Colonel Inf (Ret.) Ngatiyana and Director General of Strengthening for Research and Development Muhammad Dimyati inaugurated Cimahi Techno Park (CTP), on Baros Street, Cimahi, West Java (24/9).

Minister Nasir said the CTP is one of 100 Techno Park launched by President Joko Widodo and is aimed at boosting the innovation-based economy in Cimahi and West Java. "The CTP will develop two industrial clusters of animation industry and processed food industry which in return are expected to contribute to the people’s economy in Cimahi," said the Minister, as quoted in Ministry of Research, Technology, and Higher Education release in Jakarta, Tuesday (24/9).

Minister Nasir encouraged other regional governments to develop techno parks based on respective local wisdoms and potentials. To enter global competition, the regions must develop local to a global perspective and strive to improve the quality of local products to become a world-class products.

“We need more techno park of different fields such as health or manufacture that will foster a creative economy in other regions. In addition, creative industry players in the regions need to develop local to global perspective to improve the quality of local products,” Nasir said.

Minister Nasir explained, to become a well-developed techno park, an ecosystem supported by a good synergy between academicians, businesses, and the government best known as Triple Helix is needed. In addition, the innovations and inventions produced by a techno park have to pay attention to the market and people’s needs in order to be commercialized.

"A good ecosystem must involve inventors and innovators, industry and government. Innovations and ideas must be supported by funding and down streaming from the industrial sector. The government plays a role as a facilitator between inventors and innovators and the industrial sector," he said.

Meanwhile, the Head of BPPT Hammam Riza said Cimahi City were selected to become one of techno park sites for its high commitment. Cimahi is also considered as BPPT strategic partner.

He added that the construction of techno parks in another country took a relatively long time. Even in some countries, it requires up to more than ten years. Cimahi City, in this regards, only took less than five years to construct CTP despite all budget constraints.

Based on the assessment from the Research, Technology, and Higher Education Ministry, the maturity level of Cimahi Techno Park has met the criteria of the Intermediate level. Currently, Cimahi Techno Park Area is managed by the Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) under Cimahi City Department of Trade, Cooperatives, SMEs and Industry.

"It is hoped that Cimahi Techno park can truly act as an innovation-driven community economic institution. With the commitment and capability of human resources of Cimahi City, CTP is expected to become the most advanced area of ​​science and technology in Indonesia," Hammam said.

Reporter: G. Suranto

Translator: Wilda Stiana