"We had a cordial meeting to discuss the ministrys programs regarding villages, border areas, and reinforcement of transmigration programs," the minister remarked after meeting the president at the State Palace here on Wednesday.
He noted that Jokowi expressed concern over the need to focus on transmigration development in the border areas, which aims to accelerate economic growth in border areas.
The minister expressed optimism that the transmigration programs in the border areas can be implemented soon.
Regarding the distribution of village funds, the minister stated that the funds will be distributed to 74,053 villages in April.
"The funds are now ready for distribution to all villages across the country in April 2015," he added.
Recently, an official of the ministry had confirmed that the ministry will strive to develop the villages located in border areas to better prepare them to face the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015.
"We will prioritize the development of villages located in the border areas and the outer islands that directly face the neighboring countries," Task Executor for Director General of Development and Villager Empowerment Suprayoga Hadi stated here on Sunday (Feb. 22).
The ministry is supporting the governments capacity building programs in several underdeveloped regions to enhance infrastructure and human resources, particularly for the villages in the border areas.
"With regard to infrastructure development, the border villages must be equipped with good dock facility, so that connectivity would not be tenuous. The government will also impart education and training to develop the skills of human resources," Suprayoga noted.
The government has set a target to develop several villages, including those in North Kalimantan and Natuna District as they are the northernmost islands located in Karimata Strait. The villages in northern Sulawesi that border the Philippines will also be developed.
"We are targeting to carry out development to improve the economic conditions in the regions, including the villages and underdeveloped areas. We hope that this program will be implemented in one year," Suprayoga remarked.
The plan to develop the villages is in line with President Jokowis directive to boost the economic conditions in several villages located in the border areas.
The ministry is targeting to carry out infrastructure and human resource development in at least 1,138 villages located in the border areas.
Suprayoga added that the program, initiated since early 2015, is expected to improve the competitiveness of the local people.
(A014/INE/O001)
EDITED BY INE
(T.A014/A/KR-BSR/O001)
Editor: Aditia Maruli Radja
Copyright © ANTARA 2015
