President Jokowi: North Maluku’s Economic Growth Must Be Maintained

President Jokowi visits the Jailolo People’s Market, West Halmahera regency, North Maluku province, Wednesday (09/28). (Photo: Bureau of Press, Media, and Information of Presidential Secretariat /Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has ordered North Maluku province to continue maintaining its economic growth.

This province’s economic growth was recorded to be above national growth of at percent.

“I checked Ternate’s economic growth is above 7 [percent], while national growth is only 5.2 [percent]. The conducive condition of each regency, city, and the province must be well-maintained. I have not compared it yet with other provinces, but North Maluku is probably one of the provinces with the highest economic growth,” the President said in his press statement at Jailolo traditional market in West Halmahera regency, North Maluku province, Wednesday (09/28).

The President expressed belief that mining industry in the province will also support regional growth, especially with the downstream industry.

“North Maluku province’s economic growth will definitely be above the national average with mining industry that has entered from raw material to smelter, including in Ternate,” he said.

Data from central bank Bank Indonesia (BI) shows that North Maluku’s economic growth in the second quarter of 2022 reached 27.74 percent (yoy).

North Maluku is also the province with the highest economic growth in Indonesia for the period, followed by the provinces of Papua and Central Sulawesi.

The Head of State also expressed belief that the economic growth in West Halmahera regency is above the national economic growth, adding that it can be seen from the people’s economic activities in traditional markets such as the Jailolo traditional market.

“I haven’t checked with Bank of Indonesia on economic growth in West Halmahera, but by seeing the market, I think the [growth] is definitely above the national growth,” he said.

The President added that besides checking the people’s economy, his working visit this time was also to see firsthand the condition of infrastructure in North Maluku province, including the absence of a national road in the region.

According to him, there are still many remote areas that require similar infrastructure.

“This country, from Sabang city to Merauke town, there are 514 regencies/cities with remote islands. In the west side, for example, there are Nias island, Simeulue regency, Mentawai islands and also Bangka Belitung islands. In the east, too, yesterday we just visited Southwest Maluku. They all need roads. Why do I carry out inspection? To make sure of the things that you have asked about, how is the real condition. and how is the economic condition,” he concluded. (RF/UN) (YC/AW/EP)