"Other countries such as Canada and Malaysia, our closest neighbor, have used and allocated pension fund and other long-term fund management, for the infrastructure sector," the President said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has suggested that more infrastructure development projects be undertaken through non-state budget funding scheme.

"Other countries such as Canada and Malaysia, our closest neighbor, have used and allocated pension fund and other long-term fund management, for the infrastructure sector," the President said, at the financial close of non-state budget funding project (PINA) here, Friday.

"We have to make a breakthrough, or we will be left behind," Jokowi added.

He also expressed hope that the non-state budget financing scheme could be expanded to other sectors such as port and airport development, energy and power plant, oil field, and other sectors.

The President hailed the financial closing of Waskita Toll Road as the first PINA project.

"I hope this could become a good start; the acceleration of investment funding for Waskita Toll Road worth Rp70 trillion," he continued.

He reiterated that the governments five-year term would focus on the development of infrastructure.

"Our infrastructure development is far behind other countries, thus our competitiveness is much lower," Jokowi said, adding that the development in infrastructure would encourage investment and even distribution of welfare.

"For every development work, we need to recruit work forces. Infrastructure development will encourage the growth of supporting elements," he stated.

"I will monitor PINA scheme and KPBU (government-private sector cooperation), determine the obstacles and how they should be addressed, so that we can improve them," Jokowi said.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017