SBY: USD 2 Tln Needed for Economic Development Outside Java

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said US$2 trillion budget was needed for economic development outside Java island to create economic equality across the country. "We need US$2 trillion budget for economic development outside Java island," the president said at a function to open the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) national working meeting here on Friday.
According to the head of state, Indonesia’s economic development has not been evenly because most of the development happened in Java only.
"The ratio of economic development in Java is nearly 60 percent," the president said, adding that the government has made a calculation of areas development outside of Java as part of acceleration program and economic expansion in Indonesia. President Yudhoyono expressed hope that regional economy outside Java would develop in 15 years.


"Exploration should not continue to go on in Java, for it is time for the island to be the center for high technology industry, cervices, and researches," he said at KADIN national working meeting attended by several ministers and entrepreneurs.
Themed "Realizing Infrastructure Development and Connectivity for Regional Economic Acceleration Toward the ASEAN Economic Community", the three-day meeting was held from April 1 to 3, 2011.
On the occasion KADIN also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with several ministries and the relevant institutions. Tho partners of KADIN included the State Ministry for Disadvantaged Regions, the Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Environmental Affairs, the Ministry of Industry, the Ministry of Trade, and the Investment Coordinating Board.