"Data is important because, with complete data, we can evaluate and further improve innovations in regions," Head of the Home Affairs Policy Strategy Agency (BSKDN) of the Ministry of Home Affairs Eko Prasetyanto said, according to a written release issued by the ministry’s Information Center here on Wednesday.
He then encouraged regional heads to improve data management in their regions so that regional governments can read data and information more easily, especially related to ongoing policies and programs.
Regional governments are expected to develop a good ability to read data because it would help them to evaluate policies and plan various innovations to improve their performance and the welfare of the community, he said.
"Observe the good innovations in other regions, modify, and adjust to the situations in our regions so that there will be progress," the BSKDN head told the ranks of the government of Paser district, East Kalimantan, according to the written release.
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During the meeting with the BSKDN head and officials of the Paser district government, head of the Regional Development Planning, Research and Development Agency (Bappedalitbang) of Paser district, Muhammad Isnaini Yanuardi, said that the Ministry of Home Affairs’ directive would serve as an input for boosting the Regional Innovation Index.
"We continue to synergize to build an innovation system," he said.
In 2020, Paser district won the title of a Very Innovative District, he noted. At that time, the district was ranked the highest among all districts in East Kalimantan province.
However, he admitted that in 2021, the district leveled down to an Innovative District.
Nevertheless, he said that he is optimistic that the district will win the Very Innovative District title again with a new program that the district has launched recently, namely the Agent of Change program.
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Translator: Genta Tenri, Raka Adji
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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