Sabang is geographically located at 05046’28 “- 05054’28” N and 95013’02 - 95022’36 “E. The region consists of Kota Sabang (Weh Island, Klah Island, Rubiah Island, Seulako Island, and Rondo Island) and The district of Pulo Aceh (Pula Breuh, Nasi Island, and Teunom Island) which located in Aceh Besar and small islands surrounding it. Sabang is an area of 245.65 km2.

Photo Sabang Bay Collection tropenmuseum (source)  

Sabang region is very strategic and unique. This central position makes it a gateway for the inflow of investment, goods and services from abroad that are useful for improving the welfare of the people of Indonesia. Sabang has the potential to change the pattern of national economic growth, which is concentrated in the suburban areas. This opportunity is widely open for Sabang in which geographically is an area bordering foreign countries and with high accessibility to those neighboring countries.

Russian ships visiting Sabang in 1903 on the way from the Baltic to Port Arthur. (source)  

A jetty and oil tanks in the Bay of Sabang. (source)  

View of the port of Sabang on the island of Weh in Aceh on Sumatra, with moored ships. (source)  

The view at the port of sabang now. (source)  

• 1881 The Dutch colonial established Kolen Station because Sabang has became Aceh natural resources port for international trade.
• 1887 Firma De Lange built supporting infrastructures for the port.
• 1895 The Free Port was opened and administered by Sabang Maatschappij.
• 1942 Sabang was occupied by Japan and suffered physical destruction, the Sabang free port was closed.
• 1963 Sabang was set as the Free port zone based on the Presidential Decree No.10 in 1963.
• 1965 Kota Praja Sabang was formed by the Act of No. 10 in 1965.
• 1970 The No. 3 Year 1970 Act on Basic term of the Free Trade and Free Port of Sabang was published. No. 4 Year 1970 Act on Establishment of Sabang as Free Trade teritory and Free Port of Sabang was published.
• 1993 The location of Sabang was reconsidered as the Regional Economic Cooperation Indonesia-Malaysia- Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) were establised.
• 1997 The development of Sabang was reassessed as the Jamboree Science and Technology BPPT was held in Sabang.
• 1998 Kota Sabang and the District of Pulo Aceh made as Integrated Economic Development Zone (KAPET) along with other KAPET which was inaugurated by President BJ. Habibie with Presidential Decree No. 171 26 September 1998.
• 2000 The declaration of Sabang as Free Trade Zone and Free Port by President K.H. Abdurrahman Wahid in  abang with the issuance of Presidential Decree No. 2 Year 2000 on January 22, 2000. The issuance of  overnment Regulation in Lieu of Law No. 02 of year 2000 September 01, 2000 on the Free Trade Zone and Free Port of Sabang was publised. Regulation No. 37 of year 2000 December 21, 2000 on the Free Trade Zone and Free Port of Sabang was publised.

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