cidiss.co, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) held a closed-door meeting at the Presidential Office, Thursday, to specifically discuss accelerated infrastructure development in North Sumatra, which is believed to be the key to boosting the provinces welfare.
“Todays meeting will focus on evaluating the progress of national strategic projects and priority programs in North Sumatra. I believe the key is to accelerate the development of infrastructure, such as ports, airports, and highways,” he noted.
The president pointed out that geographically, North Sumatra holds a strategic position on the international shipping lane of the Malacca Strait in proximity to Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.
With this geographical position, the province has the potential to be developed as an international hub in order to drive the economy in other surrounding areas on Sumatra Island.
The construction of transportation infrastructure will not only facilitate connectivity between North Sumatras regions but also boost economic growth.
“I am certain that infrastructure improvement will have a positive impact on the accelerated development of the Sei Mangke special economic zone as well as other industrial areas that we are now preparing to serve as the engine of economic growth in Sumatra,” Jokowi emphasized.
In addition, the president highlighted the importance of equitable development in North Sumatra, starting from its east coast to center and the west.
In particular, the province has the Toba Lake that must be developed optimally as a tourist destination with supporting infrastructure, including means of transportation, accommodations, such as hotels and restaurants, multiple tourist attractions, as well as strong, capable human resources and small and medium enterprises.
Some of the most important projects to be developed in North Sumatra are the Trans Sumatra toll road and railway, Kuala Tanjung International Airport, Belawan-Sei Mangkei gas pipeline construction, Kuala Tanjung and Sei Mangkei priority industrial zones, as well as a smelter in Kuala Tanjung.
ANTARA NEWS
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