He delivered the remarks after inaugurating seven integrated border posts in North Timor Tengah district, East Nusa Tenggara, on Wednesday.
"Apart from showcasing the face of Indonesia and representing Indonesia's progress, our border posts also give birth to new economic development centers," the President said.
Meanwhile, in his remarks ahead of the border posts' opening ceremony, he highlighted the local economic benefits generated by a border post in Motaain region on the Indonesia-Timor Leste border.
"The market in Motaain is active and crowded with residents. Even Timor Leste residents also buy their groceries there," he noted.
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The economic development in Motaain shows that the establishment of new border posts provides an opportunity to develop the border economy for locals, Widodo said.
"We do expect the development of such economic centers for the common people instead for the economically advanced people," he added.
At the same agenda, Home Affairs Minister Tito Karnavian said that the Motaain border post site formerly hosted a traditional market that opened every Friday and was flocked by both Indonesians and Timorese people.
The minister affirmed that the border post's development did not hamper the local economy. It, instead, helped stoke economic activities, he informed.
"Economic activities increasing after we develop the border post, (improve the) access road, and set up other facilities," Karnavian added.
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Translator: Andi F/Kornelis K, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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