The president asked the governors to focus on developing their respective regions which would later encourage investment into Indonesia, especially for the respective province, so that later exports would be more driven.
Bogor, W Java (ANTARA) - The government is set to boost the growth of export-oriented industries and the tourism sector in the provinces of Central Java and East Java.

"The president asked the governors to focus on developing their respective regions which would later encourage investment into Indonesia, especially for the respective province, so that later exports would be more driven," said Minister of the National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency, Bambang Brodjonegoro after a limited meeting to discuss the development acceleration of Central Java and East Java at the Bogor Palace in West Java, Tuesday.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) first wished to understand the problems faced by the two provinces, especially those related to efforts to increase investment and exports, according to Bambang.

For Central Java, the focus was on three areas, namely the industrial area in Brebes, the industrial area in Kendal, and the tourism area of Borobudur, Bambang continued.

The Governor of Central Java conveyed several issues that needed the central government's assistance, specifically spatial planning for Brebes, accelerating the provision of infrastructure to improve connectivity in Borobudur, and strengthening/adding the capacity of the Port of Tanjung Emas Semarang to support the Kendal Industrial Zone.

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With regard to East Java, the focus is on the completion of an oil refinery in Tuban which is still awaiting the completion of land acquisition, and the development of the Bromo Tengger Semeru (BTS) tourist area whose master plan is being prepared by the central government.

In addition, East Java is also focusing on the development of the Surabaya metropolitan city and surrounding areas.

"The East Java Governor expects that there are means of good connectivity in the area, especially public transportation. The Minister of Transportation has stated the possibility of developing train-based public transportation in Surabaya and surrounding areas," Bambang explained.

Regarding the reasons for focusing on Central Java and East Java, the former minister of finance said that so far industrial and manufacturing areas were mostly in Jakarta, West Java and Banten.

"We want to encourage investment and exports. So far, the manufacturing industry and industrial estates are in Jakarta, West Java and Banten. Even though we want to attract more investment, it is necessary to diversify locations, including those that are currently increasing in Central Java and East Java," he said.

The government wants to ensure easy investment flows into the two provinces with the carrying capacity that they already have, including infrastructure, according to him.

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Translator: Agus Salim/Bambang Purwanto
Editor: Sri Haryati
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