The G20 Summit has brought direct and indirect benefits (for Bali)
Denpasar, Bali (ANTARA) - Bali gained Rp800 billion (US$51.2 million) in the form of infrastructure development and improvements from the central government due to its position as the G20 Summit host, the province's Governor, I Wayan Koster, stated.

"The G20 Summit has brought direct and indirect benefits (for Bali). One of the direct benefits was that Bali gained infrastructure and facility developments valued at more than Rp800 billion from the state budget," Koster noted here, Friday.

Apart from supporting the G20 Summit, infrastructure developments would also benefit Bali as a global tourist destination, he remarked.

The governor noted that the I Gusti Ngurah Rai VVIP Terminal and mangrove nursery at the Ngurah Rai Forest Park were facilities developed for the G20 Summit.

"The VVIP terminal is outstanding. The president also said that (the terminal) is stunning, and I believe (the VVIP terminal) is the best in Indonesia and even the world. The terminal was granted to the Bali authority," Koster remarked.

He added that other facilities developed for the G20 Summit in the province are the beautification of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Statue in Tuban, Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, and Bali Mandara toll road, as well as road expansion and pedestrian lane development in several regions.

Koster stated that for the G20 Summit, he had been tasked by Minister of Public Works and Public Housing, Basuki Hadimuljono, to supervise and accelerate the progress in infrastructure development.

"(The projects) make Bali much more tidier and more beautiful. Despite being executed (to facilitate) the G20 Summit, it will bolster the Bali tourism ecosystem after the G20 Summit's completion. It has long-term benefits," the governor noted.

He also highlighted that the G20 Summit benefited local MSMEs that saw their products being introduced to the global audience and used during the G20 Summit.

"Local MSMEs stated they are proud that their woven fabric and crafts (were) used (in the G20 Summit). Bali products were not the only local products used, as (other regions in) Indonesia also had their products introduced, but Bali has been placed in a special position," Koster said.

Moreover, despite Bali having contributed Rp3 billion (US$192 thousand) for the installation of penjors (decorative bamboo poles) and disbursed Rp400 million (US$25.6 thousand) for traditional artists, who performed before arriving delegates, the governor said that the contributions are minuscule in comparison with what Bali had gained.

"(Our contributions) are meaningless compared with the Rp800 billion for infrastructure projects in Bali which will have outstanding economic benefits," he remarked.

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Translator: Ni Putu Putri M, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Sri Haryati
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