MP3EI Implementation Requires Governmrnt's Tangible Commitment

Jakarta, Dec 14 (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) said the implementation of the Master Plan for the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia`s Economic Development (MP3EI) requires tangible commitment from the government. "The government`s tangible commitment is required for the successful implementation of the MP3EI," said the Chairman of Kadin, Suryo Bambang Sulisto, on Friday. According to him, the government should put aside sufficient budget for the implementation of the MP3EI. "Economic development of the country is dependent on private organisations. They should focus on increasing investments and creating job opportunities. The government will act as a regulator and a facilitator," Suryo said. Until December 2011, the government had conducted groundbreaking research and had inaugurated 94 investment projects in the real sector. The government had spent Rp499.5 trillion to develop the country�s infrastructure. In 2012, the government came up with a plan to inaugurate 84 investment projects in the real sector, and to invest Rp536.3 trillion in the country`s infrastructure development. He said Indonesia does not have national budget set aside for infrastructure development. Hence, the government has to depend on private companies. Edimon Ginting, Vice Chairman of the Representative Office of the Asian Development Bank (ADB), said the bank had lent US$300 million or Rp2.88 trillion to Indonesia, to support the MP3EI projects. The bank is working with the government to improve the country�s infrastructure and to make rural areas more accessible. This way, there will be sustainable economic growth, he said. "Poor connectivity, lack of proper infrastructure and the high cost of logistics are some of the obstacles that Indonesia faces. They are preventing Indonesia from attaining higher economic growth," he added.