Development of Nongsa Digital Economy Hub Commences with the Appointment of Surbana Jurong as Master Planner

_{Top executives at the contract signing ceremony on 18 July 2019 include Mr Mike Wiluan (seated-left), President Director of the joint venture between Sinar Mas Land and Citramas Group, Mr Michael Widiaia (standing-3rd from left,) Group CEO, Sinar Mas Land, Mr Wong Heang Fine, Group CEO, Surbana Jurong (standing – right), and Dr Beh Swan Gin (standing – 2nd from right), Chairman, Singapore Economic Development Board. The adjacent picture is an artist’s impression of the aerial view of the digital economy hub in Nongsa.}

July 19th, 2019, Batam, Indonesia – Development of a digital economy hub in Nongsa undertaken by the joint venture between Sinar Mas Land and Citramas Group has commenced with the appointment of Surbana Jurong, an Asia-based urban and infrastructure consultancy group, as master planner. A contract signing ceremony between the joint venture parties and Surbana Jurong was held on July 18th 2019.

Sinar Mas Land and Citramas Group, two leading developers, have joined forces to develop a digital economy hub in Nongsa, Batam. The strategically located Nongsa district is 30 minutes from Singapore by ferry and 15 minutes from the international airport Hang Nadim Batam. This hub is envisioned to be a digital bridge between Indonesia and Singapore, to attract startups, local and international companies undertaking digital-related activities to set up in Indonesia. With technology and creative industries as key drivers of Indonesia’s economy, the digital economy hub in Nongsa will contribute directly to strengthening Indonesia’s tech and innovation talent pool, job creation and revolving door commerce. It also offers Singapore-based companies opportunities to work with local Indonesian talent and grow their tech businesses, leveraging on complementary strengths.

Surbana Jurong’s scope of work includes the development of a concept master plan of the hub which covers a total area of 62 hectares, and this includes an Eco Digital Project, the Nuvasa Bay Town Center, and the Nongsa Digital Park (NDP). The consultancy scope covers urban design and architectural conceptualization.

Mr Mike Wiluan, President Director of the joint venture between Sinar Mas Land and Citramas Group, expressed, “The appointment of Surbana Jurong as our master planner is another step in a forward-looking journey that both Citramas and Sinar Mas have been committed to since our tie-up last year. With this appointment, we are able to eloquently materialize our long term vision to turn Nongsa into a next-generation destination, in tune with the region’s emerging prowess in digital commerce, creativity and connectivity. Starting with NDP, the vision of a larger ecosystem will incorporate all aspects of work, live and play with a focus towards Indonesia and Singapore’s combined strategy of developing mutual and complimentary digital economy sectors. Batam is a gateway between Singapore and Indonesia. NDP and its surrounding real estate aim to be the launch pad for both country’s growth needs and market expansion. With a strategic partner like Surbana Jurong, the next phase of Nongsa is a truly exciting space to watch out for in the next few years.”

Mr Wong Heang Fine, Group CEO of Surbana Jurong, said, “We are privileged to have the opportunity to contribute our master planning expertise to the Sinar Mas Land – Citramas Group JV for their joint project in Nongsa. Our strong track record in developing master plans for projects in over 30 countries enables us to understand and meet the requirements of Nongsa development. For this project, we are pleased that our creative vision aligns well with the desired market positioning which the JV has. We look forward to delivering well to this project which is expected to further transform Nongsa into a vibrant and sustainable economic and cultural
business hub.”

Dr Beh Swan Gin, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) said, “Congratulations to Surbana Jurong on being appointed as the master planner by the Sinar Mas Land – Citramas Group JV for their joint project in Nongsa. A well-designed master plan plays an important role in attracting investors, businesses, workers, residents and visitors. With its vast experience and expertise, Surbana Jurong will be able to contribute to the development of Nongsa as an exciting work-live-play location that is only 30 minutes away by ferry from Singapore. This project will complement the NDP, which was launched in March 2018 by Singapore’s Minister for Foreign Affairs Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Indonesia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi. We will work with Sinar Mas Land and Citramas Group to grow Nongsa into a vibrant digital hub that will serve as a digital bridge between Indonesia and Singapore.”

Sinar Mas Land is a leading property developer in South East Asia with over 40 years of experience in property development in Indonesia. With over 50 major projects developed in Indonesia and more than 10,000 hectares of land bank, Sinar Mas Land is the largest and most trusted property developer in Indonesia. Sinar Mas Land is also known as the most successful independent city developer (through BSD City Development), as well as a pioneer in the development of clustered-residential projects namely Kota Wisata and Legenda Wisata in Cibubur, Grand Wisata in Bekasi, Kota Deltamas in Cikarang, Grand City in Balikpapan, and Taman Duta Mas in Batam.

Sinar Mas Land’s presence in Batam dated since 1995, when it started developing a premium residential project namely Taman Dutamas in the downtown of Batam with a land area of 58 hectares. Today, the development has expanded to 228 hectares with the development of Nuvasa Bay in Nongsa. This project sits on a prestigious location with 1.2 km beach line facing directly to Singapore. Nuvasa Bay houses recreational facilities including Palm Springs Golf, internationally awarded golf resort, and Sea Forest Adventure Park. Its master plan was designed by US-based architecture and urban planning bureau WATG, and most recently complemented with Jason Pomeroy’s design at The Nove, an exclusive beachfront residential and condominium development spanning on an area of 5 hectares.

The company’s commitment to transformation backed by technology can be seen in its focus in transforming its townships into smart cities. BSD City, its flagship township is engaging with consultants and technology players to be the first truly smart city in Indonesia. Sinar Mas Land has settled its title as the game-changer in digital economy area developer in Indonesia by developing Digital Hub, a compound of 26 hectares, dedicated to start-up companies, research centers, creative and IT course providers, and tech communities. Coming with hi-tech hardware facilities, it currently serves major tech companies including Huawei, Apple, Grab, and Dimension Data. It also hosts co-working space operators such as CoHive and V- Office. This development is supported by the emerging digital talent pool which also strengthens BSD City as the Indonesian Silicon Valley.

About Citramas Group

Citramas Group is an Indonesian diversified group of businesses that was founded in 1980. The Citramas Group’s business activities include oilfield equipment manufacturing, shipping and logistics, drilling services’ infrastructure development comprising port and ferry terminals, hotels and an animation and film production company as well as other interests in the hospitality and leisure industry. Below are brief descriptions of some of the main activities of the Group.

Kabil Integrated Industrial Estate (KIIE) manages Citramas Group’s industrial estate which consists of PT. KabilIndonusa Estate (KIE) and PT. KabilCitranusa (KCN/ http://www.kcn.co.id/). The industrial estate spans over 700 hectares of coastal waterfront land and is strategically located along Batam’s eastern seaboard. KIIE has been developed to cater to the oil & gas and energy related industries, especially companies requiring large land plots with close access to the coast for movement of heavy and over-sized cargo.

CitranusaKabil Port (http://www.scnport.com/) has a well equipped and maintained facility with 5 berths, office space, warehouses and large area open yard for storage. CitranusaKabil Port has a comprehensive one stop service center with the CIQP (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine and Port Authorities) facilities/services located within the port to ensure fast and smooth document clearances. It also has the capabilities and resources to support all operational requirements, such as stocking and staging point for offshore drilling, serving as a logistics and operational base for oil and gas companies, drilling companies, bulk handling companies and specialist support service companies.

PT. DwiSumberArcaWaja (DSAW/ http://www.ptdsaw.com/about_us.php) was established in 1995 to manufacture large diameter steel pipes and structural tubulars. The Company is a multi-national joint- venture consisting of Indonesia, Singapore, Japan and Europe shareholders. The plant is located at Kabil Industrial Estate, Batam in Indonesia which is about 20 km from Singapore. Including it’s proximity to the port gives us more benefits. PT. DSAW has established itself in the international market and is now a major supplier of large Diameter Steel Pipes and Structural Tubulars. Our products have been applied in Oil and Gas Offshore Platform construction, Pipelines and Pipe Marine, Civil and General Construction.

PT Citra Tubindo Engineering (http://www.cte.co.id/) is a fabricator and manufacturer of drilling rig facilities onshore & offshore, structural platforms, topsides & process modules and equipment in the oil and gas industries.

Nongsa Resorts (www.nongsaresorts.com) are situated on the north-eastern tip of Batam Island, the centre of Riau Archipelago. They comprise of Turi Beach Resort, Nongsa Point Marina & Resort, Nongsa Village and Tamarin Santana Golf Club. Conveniently accessible with a variety of transportation options, the Resorts are 35 minutes by ferry from Tanah Merah Ferry Terminal in Singapore and a 10 minute drive from Hang Nadim airport in Batam.

Infinite Studios Infinite Studios (www.infinitestudios.com.sg) is an integrated media entertainment and creative services companybased in Singapore and Indonesia (Batam). Founded in 1997, it has evolved its business from providing creative services such as post-production, visual effects and animation to creating its own original content for the global digital media industry. Located at One-North Mediapolis, Infinite Studios is also home to Singapore’s 2 largest soundstages with another 2 soundstages and a 1 Ha film backlot in Batam, a 40 mins ferry ride away from Singapore.

Nongsa Digital Park is (www.nongsadigital.com) an integrated digital park providing a place for digital businesses to grow, an ideal site for data centre development (up to Uptime Institute tier IV certified), residential facilities that will blend ideally with the current Nongsa Resorts operated by the Group. Located on the high topography at eastern side of Batam, away from the seismic fault lines, Nongsa Digital Park is offer a much safer geographical location for Data Centers. Supported with a good infrastructure presence on the island, Batam has large potential area for business activity. The total development area is set at 180 ha, partially already developed with the existing Turi Beach Resort, Nongsa Point Marina, Nongsa Village, Nongsapura Ferry Terminal, Kinema movie & animation studio, and Golf Course. Nongsa Digital park purpose is to become one of the main digital economy gateways in Indonesia while reinforcing at the same time Nongsa as one of the preferred destinations for domestic and international tourism within the Riau
Islands.

About Surbana Jurong

Surbana Jurong is one of the largest Asia-based urban, infrastructure and management services consulting firms, with close to 70 years of track record in successful project delivery. Headquartered in Singapore, the Surbana Jurong Group of companies comprises SMEC and Robert Bird Group in Australia, Sino Sun in China, AETOS, KTP and SAA in Singapore and B+H in Canada.

Our global talent pool of over 16,000 employees from more than 120 offices in over 40 countries worldwide, include architects, designers, planners, engineers and other specialists, who are driven by progressive thinking and creative ideas to help shape a better future.

Our technical experts deliver best-in-class solutions that cover the entire project life cycle from planning and design, through to delivery and management, and even decommissioning and closure. We provide a full suite of consultancy services across a diverse range of sectors such as aviation, healthcare, hospitality, transport, water and environment, energy and resources.

With a wealth of experience, we have built more than a million homes in Singapore, crafted master plans for more than 30 countries and developed over 100 industrial parks globally, building homes and designing cities that are socially, economically and environmentally sustainable, empowering communities to thrive.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Sinar Mas Land
Atikah Sunarya
Head of Public Relations and Social Media
T: +6221 50 368 368
E: atikah.sunarya@sinarmasland.com
Citramas Group
Marco Bardelli
Director
T: +65 9682 8597
E: marco@infinitestudios.com.sg
Surbana Jurong
Eva Ho
Group Chief Communications and Branding Officer T: +65 6248 1830
M: +65 9617 6234
E: eva.hohw@surbanajurong.com