Bitung Special Economic Zone (SEZ): A Dynamics Study of Establishment and Development Processes

Abstract

<p><em>In the context of regional development in Indonesia, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are designated to accommodate industrial and economic activities for regional acceleration. To date, Indonesia has 19 Special Economic Zones that have been designated, one of which is the Bitung SEZ. In its designation, the Bitung SEZ focused on the fishery and coconut processing industry, as well as its derivative products. The development of the Bitung SEZ as a government product in the plan is expected to give trickling down effects to the surrounding, but in the practice, it does not escape problems (in the spatial, institutional, and socio-economic aspects). Thus, this paper aims to explain how the establishment and operational dynamics of the Bitung SEZ are based on the physical, policy, and social dimensions as dualism in development. This research used mixed methods, with data sources and materials obtained from the research, news, and planning documents. The findings of this study, the dualism of development occurs in both theoretical and practical settings, instead of creating a new growth center, development can also cause some problems.</em></p>