Batam, Riau Islands (ANTARA) - The Ministry of Transmigration is preparing a tourism-based entrepreneurship program to be developed in the Tanjung Banun Transmigration Area, Batam City, Riau Islands, to create a new economy.
Transmigration Minister Iftitah Sulaiman Suryanegara brought an entrepreneurship expert from Gadjah Mada University, Rika Fatimah, to directly observe potential business opportunities that could be developed in the Tanjung Banun Transmigration Area.
“I asked her to come here and help review whether Tanjung Banun has great potential for entrepreneurship,” he said here on Sunday.
According to the minister, based on observations made, Tanjung Banun has very large entrepreneurship potential, including a culinary center and tourism sites such as the development of village-style hotels or homestays.
This potential is seen from the size of land owned by residents who voluntarily joined the Local Transmigration program in Tanjung Banun, covering 500 square meters, with a building size of 45 square meters.
“So 500 square meters is large. Many people want houses with land of that size. You are given a 45 square meter building, so the remaining land can be used for a hotel model,” he said.
He said homestay businesses have strong potential in Tanjung Banun. This is based on information from the local community head, that there have been three visits by Singaporeans who came to Tanjung Banun to ask whether they could own buildings there.
He said the development of culinary and tourism-based entrepreneurship in Tanjung Banun aligns with the current transmigration concept of creating a sustainable future.
He emphasized that transmigration is no longer about relocating people along with land and houses, but about shaping sustainable livelihoods in the area.
“We will build a culinary center and a viewing post, so we can bring visitors to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Tanjung Banun,” he said.
