Introductory Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia H.E. Joko Widodo in the Limited Meeting on the Evaluation of the Implementation of National Strategic Projects and Priority Programs in Bengkulu Province, on 31 May 2017, at the Presidents Office, Jakarta
Unofficial English Translation
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,
Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh,
Today, the Limited Meeting will evaluate the implementation of the national strategic projects in Bengkulu Province. I consider the economy in various regions including in areas outside Java has started to flourish and grow rapidly.
In the first quarter of 2017, the economy in Bengkulu Province grew by 5.21 percent, and was above the national economic growth, which means it is very good. However, I ask that the higher economic growth should have a direct impact on the poverty rate reduction in Bengkulu Province which is still quite high at 17.03 percent.
Attention should also be paid to the aspect of equitable development, both concerning equitable distribution of development between regions, and even distribution of development. To that end, economic growth should be focused to further nip the level of social inequality in the bud in Bengkulu Province. I am sure in the the future, the economy in Bengkulu will be able to move even faster, grow higher, if we are able to overcome the connectivity problem.
I obtain information that there are still about 48.7 percent or about 653 villages that are still isolated in Bengkulu Province. Similarly, the connectivity that links Bengkulu Province with other provinces is still very limited. For that purpose, I ask that connectivity should be a concern and be improved, both between regions in the province of Bengkulu and with other provinces. In this way, the development of economic growth centers in various places in Sumatra Island will also have a positive impact on the economy in Bengkulu Province.
That is all I can say. Pak Governor, the floor is yours. (PR, Cabinet Secretariat)(MUR/AW/YM/Naster)