During a discussion with journalists at the office of the transportation ministry here on Wednesday, Jonan stated that if Cilamaya seaport was not developed, it would not only raise logistics expenditures but would also lead to congestion in Jakarta.
"Cilamaya port, which is 70 kilometers east of Jakarta, was established to ship industrial products manufactured in Karawang. If efforts to develop the port fail and industrial products still need to be shipped from Jakarta, what will Jakarta look like?" the minister questioned.
If the development of Cilamaya seaport is postponed, it will go against a key strategy of the working cabinet, which is lowering logistics spending that impact national welfare.
According to Jonan, logistics spending in Indonesia is still some 20 percent at present, compared to eight percent in developed countries.
"We should lower it (logistics expenditures) slowly. If we dont, it will hamper efforts to improve national welfare," he reminded.
Jonan, however, did not know about the status of the project because it was still being deliberated by the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas).
Reporting by Juwita Trisna Rahayu
(B003/INE/B003)
EDITED BY INE.
Editor: Suryanto
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