"This place of ours is a satellite of Singapore, and will become a new economic center," the President said when opening a working meeting at the Raja Haji Fisabillillah airport, Tanjungpinang, Riau Islands, on Sunday.
The President said that to realize target, all the relevant parties need to work very hard.
The project needs to accommodate local interests of improving the economy of the local people, and the national interest must also be satisfied in the form of accelerated national economic growth.
The President also said that building Riau Islands needs to consider four main targets, namely economic growth, manpower growth, reduced poverty, and environmental conservation.
The meeting was held after the President on Monday morning collected a number of ministers and central government officials here.
The ministers arrived at Raja Haji Fisabilillah not all at the same time starting from 8.30 am.
They ministers included Environment Minister Gusti Muhammad Hatta, Industry Minister M.S Hidayat, Forestry Minister Zulkifli Hasan, Transportation Minister Freddy Numberi, Marine and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad, Head of the Capital Investment Agency Gita Wirjawan, Agriculture Minister Suswono and National Economic Committee chairman Chaerul Tanjung.
Earlier, a number of ministers already here to accompany the President included Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Coordinating Minister for Economy Hatta Rajasa, Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik, Defense Minister Purnomo Yusgiantoro, and Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi.
After arrival at the airport, the minister took a brief rest at the meeting hall. At 9 am they moved to another hall to start with the meeting. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
