The evaluation is expected to enable the even distribution of development gains and welfare in the province.
The president stated that the even distribution of development gains and welfare is the goal of the national development for the country, including Central Sulawesi.
Although Central Sulawesi recorded high economic growth in the past few years, it still has high poverty rate, he added.
In 2016, the Central Sulawesi economy grew 9.98 percent, well above the average national growth rate of 5.02 percent. The high growth is expected to serve as a momentum to increase developmental activities and lower the high poverty rate, he noted.
"We also hope that the high economic growth momentum will have a direct impact on the efforts to cut down poverty rate, which currently stands at 14.09 percent. Likewise, we also hope it would expedite the even distribution of development gains in all parts of Central Sulawesi," he underlined.
The president remarked that the key sectors that have the potential to develop into core businesses in the province include nickel mining, cacao, coffee, coconut and clove plantations, and rattan and ebony wood forests.
"I want the agricultural, forestry, and mining commodities to be processed in Central Sulawesi so as to provide added value and multiple benefits to the community," he asserted.
The president also asked the related parties to pay special attention to the development of potential businesses in the forestry and marine tourism sectors.
"I call for steps to expedite the development of infrastructures to increase access to tourist destinations. The project includes the revitalization of Mutiara airport, the construction of Palu-Parigi toll road, the development of Palu port, and the improvement of Parigi ports capacity," he stated.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2017
