Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Binjai-Langsa toll road connecting North Sumatra and Aceh would help develop local potential in the surrounding area.

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) made the statement while inaugurating the Binjai-Langsa toll road Section I, Binjai-Stabat, at Stabat toll gate, Langkat District, North Sumatra, which was broadcast live on Friday.

"I am sure that with the progress of this infrastructure, we will be able to develop the potentials that exist in the region. Starting from agriculture, tourism, plantations, fisheries, and others," the President said.

If the orange production center in Karo District is connected to the toll road, it would make the area's oranges more competitive, both in terms of price and connectivity with other productive areas, he expounded.

Section I of the Binjai-Langsa toll road will also allow tourists from outside the region to access several tourist destinations in Langkat, such as Bukti Lawang, Tangkahan, and take part in the spiritual tour in Tanjung Pura, he noted.

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"This is a good opportunity to develop the potentials that exist in the region. The potentials are managed by local communities," the President remarked.

He then asked all stakeholders around the Binjai-Langsa toll road to utilize the existing infrastructure to boost new businesses, increase job opportunities, and improve community welfare.

The Binjai-Langsa Toll Road comprises five sections— Section I connects Binjai and Stabat, Section II Stabat and Tanjung Pura, Section III Tanjung Pura and Pangkalan Brandan, Section IV Pangkalan Brandan and Kuala Simpang, and Section V Kuala Simpang and Langsa.

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Translator: Gilang G, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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