Introductory Remarks of President Joko Widodo at Limited Cabinet Meeting on Evaluation of National Strategic Projects, Monday, 6 June 2016 at 1 PM at Presidential Office, Jakarta

Unofficial English Translation

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalamu’alaikum warrahmatullahi wabarakaatuh,

Good afternoon,

May peace be upon us,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

At the limited cabinet meeting today, we are going to evaluate the implementation of national strategic projects.

I believe that these national strategic projects do not only generate the national economy but will also bring added values for development in the regions because those projects are implemented in all areas in the country – in Sumatera, Java, Kalimantan, Bali, Nusa Tenggara, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua.

Therefore, we have to stay focused so that these projects, which include 225 projects in 13 sectors, can be implemented well.

We also have to ensure that those projects, which include roads, railways, airports, seaports, housing, agriculture and maritime, clean water, dams, technology, border posts, and electricity projects, can be well implemented.

After six months those projects have been implemented, I have received information that out of 225 projects, 139 of them (56 percent) are still at the planning stage and 88 projects (44 percent) are at the implementation stage.

I have asked Coordinating Minister for the Economy, the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas), and the Office of the Presidential Staff to continue monitoring the progress of these projects real time.

Should you find any problems, for example related to funding or land acquisition, do immediately address them.

Although I monitor almost all those projects and visit all the project sites, I once again ask Coordinating Minister for the Economy and Bappenas to always monitor those projects as well. (Humas Setkab)(EP/YM/Naster)