Strengthening National Connectivity

Balikpapan 27/2/13. Minister of National Development Planning/Head of BAPPENAS of the Republic of Indonesia, Prof. Dr. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, SE., MA delivered a presentation at the National Working Meeting of the Indonesian Provincial BAPPEDA Association at the Green Senyiur Hotel Jl. ARS Muhammad No.7 Balikpapan with the title "Connectivity Across Economic Corridors in the Integration of Central - Regional MP3EI Milestones".

Implementation of the IV National Working Meeting of the Indonesian Provincial Bappeda Association at the Green Senyiur Hotel, Jl. ARS Muhammad Number 7 Balikpapan City from 26 to 28 February 2013 with the theme "Multi-Party Planning Synergy for Successful Quality and Accountable Development of Infrastructure, Population and Environment" was officially opened by the Governor of East Kalimantan, DR.H. Awang Faroek Ishak.

The Fourth National Working Meeting of the Indonesian Provincial Bappeda Association was attended by approximately three hundred and fifty participants consisting of all the heads of Provincial Bappeda throughout Indonesia or representative officials and related officials within the provincial governments of Indonesia, the Ministry of Bappenas, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Industries, and all the Heads of Bappeda throughout East Kalimantan.

The Minister of National Development Planning/Head of BAPPENAS stated in his speech that the importance of the MP3EI Implementation Strategy includes: (1). Developing Economic Potential Through Economic Corridors, namely by building growth centers in each economic corridor (island), by developing industrial clusters based on superior resources (commodities and/or sectors); (2). Strengthening National Connectivity (locally integrated, internationally connected) including: a. Intra and inter connectivity of growth centers. Local connectivity for inclusive development (equitable access and quality of basic services throughout Indonesia); b. Connectivity between economic corridors (islands); c. International connectivity (trade and tourist gateway).

Meanwhile, the Minister of National Development Planning/Head of BAPPENAS also conveyed the direction of the 2014 National Infrastructure Development Policy, namely: (1). Infrastructure development to support the development of 6 economic corridors (MP3EI) with objectives including: a. Increasing the flow of goods, services and information; b. Reduce logistics costs; c. Reduce cost inefficiencies; d. Strengthening equal access for all regions, and f. Strengthening synergies between growth centers. (2). Infrastructure development to accelerate economic growth in the eastern region of Indonesia, especially in 6 provinces (Maluku, North Maluku, Papua, West Papua, NTB and NTT); (3). Infrastructure development in border areas to support security and prosperity; (4). Infrastructure development to support food security; 5. Infrastructure development for disaster mitigation.

Meanwhile, resource persons for the IV National Working Meeting of the BAPPEDA Association of Provinces throughout Indonesia include:
1. Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, DR. Hatta Rajasa;
2. Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Prof. Dr. Armida Salsiah Alisjahbana, SE., MA;
3. Deputy Minister of National Development Planning/Bappenas for Regional Development and Regional Autonomy;
4. Directorate General of Financial Balance, Ministry of Finance;
5. Directorate General of Tourism Destination Development, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy;
6. Director of Areas and Land for Regional General Government, Ministry of Home Affairs;
7. Assistant Deputy for Spatial Planning and Regional Development of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs;
8. Head of DKI Jakarta Bappeda;
9. Head of West Java Bappeda;
10. Head of East Kalimantan Bappeda, DR.Ir.H. Rusmadi.MS; and
11. Head of Bappeda East Nusa Tenggara Province.

(Public Relations of East Kalimantan Bappeda/Sukandar, S.Sos).