Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Inauguration of Serang-Rangkasbitung Segment of Serang-Panimbang Toll Road Section 1 Lebak Regency, 16 November 2021, Banten Province

Bismillahirrahmanirrahim,

Assalaamu’alaikum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh,

Good morning,

May peace be upon us all.

Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet,

Distinguished Chair of Commission V of the House of Representatives and Members of the House of Representatives in attendance,

Distinguished Governor of Banten Province as well as Regent of Lebak and all regents and mayors in attendance,

All public figures in attendance today,

The Regional Leaders Communication Forum,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have stated numerous times that infrastructure is the foundation of our country to compete with other countries, which means that we are improving our competitiveness.

It is impossible for a country to top other countries if its competitiveness index is lower because without infrastructure, prices of available goods will be higher. That is what we seek to improve.

If we have adequate infrastructure, our goods will be better distributed and more affordable. It means that infrastructure will enhance logistic network.

Infrastructure will also create new economic growth points. As the Governor said, commodities in Banten will be distributed more easily. And it also facilitates production. People produce, farms produce, plantations produce. There is a road to consumers, so it [distributing products] will be easier. And most importantly, with the construction of a road, it will provide many job opportunities.

And finally, infrastructure will build our civilization. If other countries have toll roads and we only have village roads, it means that our civilization is left behind. If other countries have toll roads, so do we. We have airports, other countries have them too. Once again, infrastructure will be our foundation to compete with other countries.

And thank God, this morning the construction of Serang-Rangkasbitung segment of Serang-Panimbang Toll Road Section 1 was completed and it is ready for operation. It will be followed with the construction of Section 2, which includes 24-kilometer Rangkasbitung-Cileles segment and 33-kilometer Cileles-Panimbang segment. It is scheduled, God willing, to be finished at the end of 2023.

This ease of connectivity, once again, is an important factor to boost local economic growth. I am certain that it will uplift the economic growth of Banten province, especially areas around this toll road, namely Lebak regency and Pandeglang regency.

That concludes my speech on this auspicious occasion. And by saying bismillahirrahmanirrahim, this morning I hereby inaugurate Serang-Rangkasbitung segment of Serang-Panimbang Toll Road Section 1.

I thank you.

Wassalaamu’alaikum warahmatullaahi wabarakaatuh. (DH/EP)