“Our success will largely depend on what we build, how we build it, and for whom the development is intended,” he stated at the opening of the International Conference on Infrastructure (ICI) 2025 here on Wednesday.
He remarked that this coming decade will be a critical period for Indonesia's infrastructure development.
Yudhoyono noted that Indonesia is currently at a historical turning point as the world’s fourth most populous country and an emerging middle-income economy.
“We hold a strategic position as a bridge between the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean. This is a momentum we must not waste,” he stressed.
He also emphasized the importance of supporting President Prabowo Subianto's national development agenda. Prabowo's missions include achieving food, water, and energy security, all of which, depend on integrated, fair, and sustainable infrastructure development.
Yudhoyono reiterated the government’s ambitious target of achieving eight percent economic growth.
To achieve this goal, he said, Indonesia must move beyond relying solely on domestic consumption and instead unlock its full real economic potential across all sectors, from agriculture and industry to ports and digital platforms.
Therefore, he said, infrastructure that reduces logistics costs, boosts productivity, eases access to water, energy, and housing, and enhances inter-regional connectivity is needed.
Furthermore, the minister reminded that infrastructure development is not only a matter of physical construction but also a path toward national resilience and justice.
“If developed with wisdom, resilience, and fairness, infrastructure can serve as the foundation for inclusive and high-quality growth," he added.
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Translator: Aji, Kenzu
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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