President Jokowi: National Strategic Projects Must Reduce Inequality

President Jokowi delivers his introductory remarks at Limited Cabinet Meeting on Evaluation of National Strategic Projects Implementation, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (16/4). (Photo by: Public Relations/Jay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo reminded to carefully pay attention to the execution of programs and national strategic projects (PSN) which planned to start in 2018.

“I ask to take into account the impact of each national strategic project to increase the added value of regional economy as well as the impact on poverty and inequality reduction,” the President said in his introductory remarks at Limited Cabinet Meeting on Evaluation of National Strategic Projects Implementation, at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (16/4).

The PSN must be fully integrated in order to develop leading sectors in the regions, the President further said. Sea toll projects for example, it should be ensured that this program can actually lower logistics costs and prices of staple food needed by the people, especially in archipelagic areas.

President Jokowi also stressed that public communication should be improved so that people know what is being done and its benefits to the community. So, it will grow their sense of belonging. Moreover, they will also directly monitor the implementation of existing projects, and look after the completed projects.

Regarding PSN’s financing, the President continued, it is impossible to rely solely on the State Budget. Therefore, alternative and creative financing models are needed to attract investors to participate in financing these projects.

“In the implementation, it needs to involve private sectors, especially those located in the areas where the project is being undertaken. It is not only the task of State-Owned Enterprises and their subsidiaries,” President Jokowi concluded.

Joining the President on that occasion were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani, Minister of National Development Planning/Head of National Development Planning Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of National Land Agency Sofyan Djalil,  Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Industry Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Communication and Informatics Rudiantara, Minister of Social Affairs Idrus Marham, Minister of Health Nila F Moeloek, Minister of Education and Culture Muhadjir Effendy, Minister of Research and Technology and Higher Education M. Nasir, Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Ignasius Jonan, Minister of Tourism Arief Yahya, Head of the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) Thomas Lembong, dan Head of Finance and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) Ardan Adiperdana. (FID/MRA/ES) (GWH/MMB/Naster)