"The economic growth in East Nusa Tenggara during the 2014-2016 period had always been above the national growth. In 2016, East Nusa Tenggaras economy grew 5.18 percent, well above the average national growth," the governor said here on Saturday.
The president lauded the provinces higher growth at a limited meeting to discuss the realization of national strategic projects and priority programs in East Nusa Tenggara and North Sumatra.
Widodo stated that East Nusa Tenggaras economic growth in the past three years had always stayed above the national growth.
In 2014, East Nusa Tenggaras economy expanded 5.01 percent and further rose to 5.18 percent in 2016, he remarked.
"The trend suggests that East Nusa Tenggara has begun to catch up with other provinces (in Indonesia). But this is not enough; we must work harder to alleviate poverty, reduce disparities, and create more jobs," he added.
At the meeting, the president stressed the need for East Nusa Tenggara to focus on developing three sectors as an umbrella for the development of other sectors, the governor asserted.
The three sectors include infrastructures, border areas, and tourism.
The development of infrastructure is a must, because dams and other infrastructures can be used to meet the publics needs to obtain clean water, irrigation networks, and power plants, he noted.
Since East Nusa Tenggara borders Timor Leste and Australia, the province needs to improve its border cross check points. In addition, it also needs to develop its border areas, including roads, to spur the local peoples economy.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
