"Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Radjasa has approved the funds and we are optimistic the funds can promote 50 of backward districts," he said on Monday.
He said he had conveyed the basic concepts of backward region development to the government in this case the Ministry of Backward Region Development.
The basic concepts of development were designed in such way that they could speed up the development of backward regions and therefore, special fund allocations were needed to implement them, he said.
The development of backward regions had so far relied on the state budget, he said.
Therefore, Askati had proposed budget allocations to help the districts deal with their backwardness and poverty, he said.
Askati had high commitment to accelerating the development of backward districts to promote the living standard of the local people, he said.
As such, the association would prioritize the development of backward areas through the development of human resources, the construction of basic infrastructures such as clean water, electricity, health facilities, and the empowerment of the local people`s economy.
"We are convinced that the Rp120 trillion in funds we will be able to accelerate the development of backward districts in Indonesia," he said.
He said nearly 70 percent or 128 of the backward districts were located in the eastern Indonesia and 27 others sharing common borders with other countries.
Meanwhile, Minister of Backward Region Development Helmy Faishal Zaini said his ministry was trying hard to complete the accelerated development of backward regions in 2014. (*)
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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
