JAKARTA, Jan. 17 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia began the construction of an automated logistics hub in Nusantara, its new capital on the island of Kalimantan on Wednesday, with the goal of it eventually serving as the core of the nation's supply chain network in the future.
"We are witnessing heightened activity here, with the accelerated movement of people and goods ahead of the opening of new businesses and offices," President Joko Widodo said during the groundbreaking.
The partnership between construction company PT. Bina Karya and state-owned postal enterprise Pos Indonesia is to transform Nusantara into a super hub that offers comprehensive services that significantly lower logistics costs and facilitate trade between the island nation's eastern and western regions.
President Director of Pos Indonesia Faisal Rahmad Jumadi said that the Nusantara Logistics Hub will be constructed with an expenditure of 350 billion rupiah (about 22 million U.S. dollars) to adopt an automated delivery system and advanced robotic sorting using environmentally friendly electric vehicles.
The logistics hub's initial focus once completed later this year will be to convey logistics for state employees, police and military personnel, and service members stationed in the new capital. ■
