"It is still in process. Yes, let's just wait. Let's take care of the administrative matters first," Raka said here on Monday.
The grant will be received by the related ministry first and will be transferred to the regional budget (APBD) for Solo or Surakarta City.
"The important thing is that it is all set," he added.
In addition to the grant, the Surakarta city government will also get funds for the construction of the Islamic Center from the UAE government.
According to the plan, the Islamic Center in Solo will be located in Gilingan village, Banjarsari sub-district, near the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, whose construction was also aided by the UAE.
Meanwhile, the US$15-million grant will be used for developing public facilities, such as road surface paving, and the Manahan Indoor Sports Complex (GOR) construction project.
"The US$15 million will be for uninhabitable houses, road paving, GOR Manahan Indoor (construction) which is stalled, then for integrated health posts, local health centers, and schools," Mayor Raka said.
Earlier, on December 26, 2022, Raka made an official trip to the UAE to seek additional funds for the development of Solo City.
He also informed that the Surakarta city government will cooperate with the UAE government for a community poverty alleviation program.
"The target is 100 percent poverty alleviation with the UAE government's help," he said.
Without UAE's assistance, poverty alleviation in Solo can be realized around 2025–2026, he added. However, with assistance, the poverty alleviation program can be completed in the next two years.
In the business sector, the grant will be used for traditional market development and providing business capital assistance to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
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Translator: Aris W, Kenzu
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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