GOVT TO PRIORITIZE LABOR-INTENSIVE PROJECTS IN 2009

Jakarta, Jan 22 (ANTARA) - Chairman of the National Development Planning Agency Paskah Suzetta said here Thursday that the government would give priority to the implementation of state's program and projects which could absorp a great number of workers and employees in 2009.

"We will not reduce the ministry's budget. Instead, we will support projects which can absorp many employees in 2009," Paskah said adding that the projects may cover the infrastructure sectors.
"The fiscal stimulus to accelerate infrastructure development will also be raised in 2009," he said.
Asked about programs to anticipate the global financial crisis and fiscal stimulus plan to be proposed to the House of Representative (DPR), Paskah said that a regulation on the State Budget article 23 of 2009 allowed the government to prepare such programs and stimulus.