"Certainly, (it is important to see) how economic stimulus packages can be designed to trigger greener economic growth in future," the ministry's Director of Environmental Affairs, Medrilzam, remarked during a virtual seminar here on Thursday.
Supporting sustainable development means not only environmental protection but also concurrently bringing in investment and opening up environment-friendly jobs, he expounded.
Worldwide, several nations have launched economic stimulus plans to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, mostly in traditional areas, such as emergency funds, tax deferral, MSME assistance, and subsidies for affected businesses.
"Hence, it is very economically minded. It has not touched on the issue of how we are going toward the better. In Indonesia, the pattern is the same as those at the global level," he remarked.
However, Medrilzam cited as an example that Bappenas had channeled stimulus of Rp2 billion for mangrove rehabilitation at a former tin mine land and to transform the area into an ecotourism area.
With this budget, the ecotourism area could offer monthly economic benefits of Rp50-65 million for those managing the area and attract investment of Rp22 billion.
From the environmental aspect, the 50-hectare mangrove area can potentially lower greenhouse gas emissions.
Ecotourism offers employment opportunities to local residents, who were formerly tin miners.
"We hope that in future, various policies would be directed more suitably," he added. Related news: Farmers, fishermen to receive president's Rp34-trillion stimulus
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Translator: Dewa KS Wiguna, Fardah
Editor: Suharto
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