This year’s G20 presidency is believed to offer opportunities and challenges for Indonesia as it holds the presidency amid the world’s instability due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The G20 Presidency is a strategic leadership considering that the group consists of countries that represent at least 85 percent of the world economy, 79 percent of global trade, 80 percent of global investment, and about 65 percent of the world’s population.

During the Presidency, Indonesia will lead the G20 members — Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Throughout 2022, there will be a series of physical meetings and events in Indonesia involving around 6,500 foreign delegates.

The G20 Summit is scheduled to take place in Bali on November 2022 by implementing strict health protocols. Meanwhile, the series of G20’s event starts from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022.

The 2022 G20 raises a theme of ‘Recover Together, Recover Stronger’, meaning that amid the uncertainty in the global pandemic, togetherness or the spirit of mutual cooperation is needed so that no one feels left behind.

The G20 events in Indonesia will not only take place in Jakarta or Bali, but will also be convened in 13 other provinces. They will host a series of activities related to the G20 events in Indonesia. It is also an effective step to introduce the world to Indonesia’s tourists destinations.

Benefits

In the series of activities prepared for G20, Kalimantan is chosen to hold two events based on the mapping by Trade Ministry. Two cities in Kalimantan are chosen to represent the island namely Banjarmasin in South Kalimantan, and most likely Pontianak in West Kalimantan.

Even though it is not easy to pick which region to host G20 events, the central government has thoroughly considered the regions it selects.

In terms of readiness, Pontianak and West Kalimantan in general have several advantages.

The city is accessible from Jakarta and other major cities in Indonesia with flight schedules available every day. Travel time is also fairly short — one hour and 10 minutes to 30 minutes in general.

International chain hotels and local five-star quality hotels are also available, not only in Pontianak City, but also in several other cities such as Kubu Raya District and Singkawang City.

Pontianak Mayor Edi Rusdi Kamtono has promoted Pontianak’s culinary as one of the leading and promising businesses in the city besides trade and services.

Strategic Role

Generally, there are three main issues raised in Indonesia’s G20 Presidency. First, the global health architecture. Second, the transition to a green economy and green energy. Third, digitization or digital transformation.

Of the three issues, there are at least two points that can closely be related to West Kalimantan, namely the green economy and green energy, as well as digitalization or digital transformation.

Previously, Indonesia had proposed the use of renewable energy as one of the priority themes considering that currently, the G20 members account for around 75 percent of global energy demand.

On the other hand, the G20 is working to strengthen a sustainable global energy system with a fair transition.

West Kalimantan, as one of the areas crossed by the equator, has the potential to utilize renewable energy. In addition, West Kalimantan is also a large-scale vegetable energy-producing area from palm oil as raw material.

In utilizing nuclear energy as an energy source, the government has also prepared West Kalimantan as one of the locations for nuclear power plant.

West Kalimantan is also part of the Heart of Borneo (HoB) area. Developing the HoB area by applying a green economy concept for sustainable development outside conservation areas has been discussed for many years.

Meanwhile, for digitalization, West Kalimantan is directly adjacent to Malaysia and located in the Indonesian Archipelagic Sea Lane (ALKI) 1 which is a crossing lane from the north to the south which passes through the Sunda Strait, Karimata Strait, Natuna Sea, and the South China Sea.

ALKI is set to connect two free waters, namely the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. Meaning that all foreign ships and aircraft passing from north to south and vice versa must go through ALKI.

With this strategic position, West Kalimantan has an opportunity to market its local products both in natural produces and local Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) products. Through digitization, it will be easier to expand the market share.

In addition, the presence of Kijing Port in Mempawah District, which is prepared to become the largest international port in Kalimantan, can boost the growth of a new economic area in West Kalimantan.

Academician from the Faculty of Economics and Business at Tanjungpura University, Pontianak, Muhammad Fahmi argued that Indonesia’s Presidency in G20 is an opportunity for West Kalimantan to develop a digital ecosystem at the border since it has the potential to improve the regional economy.

Digital ecosystems in border areas have the potential to grow since these areas are a useful source of production to support economic growth.

It is not impossible that Indonesia’s Presidency in G20 will help West Kalimantan become a new economic center in the island of Kalimantan.

Source: Antara News