Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said that in the last one year, the Government was able to complete 161 national strategic projects (PSN) with the absorption of 11 million workers.

"In the last eight years, 161 large national strategic projects have been completed and absorbed 11 million workers," President Jokowi said at the Sewindu National Strategic Project (PSN), at Kota Kasablanka Mall, Jakarta, Wednesday (13/08/2023).

In addition, the presence of PSN infrastructure has also helped boost Indonesia's competitiveness at the international level. This can be seen from the increase in Indonesia's competitiveness ranking in the IMD World Competitiveness Index from 44th to 34th in 2022.

"Based on the International Institute for Management Development (IMD), our competitiveness in 2022 was previously ranked 44th, last year we have entered 34th place. The increase of 10 (ranks) is the highest increase in the world and one of them is due to infrastructure affairs that we can solve a lot," he explained.

Therefore, the Head of State encouraged other unfinished PSNs to be completed at the latest in the first semester of 2024. President Jokowi asked his staff to check in detail and supervise the construction so that the projects do not stop or even stalled.

"Once again, do not let anything stalled, check well, examine well, what is the root of the problem if there is a problem, give a deadline, the target must also be clear when," he said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi reminded his staff to find innovative solutions in solving problems in the field related to the development of PSN. President Jokowi warned his staff not to use a repressive approach to the community because PSN actually aims to provide benefits to the community.

"I always remind you not to use repressive approaches to the community. If there is compensation, the community is happy, that's what I want. The price given is the best price because I repeatedly emphasise that the PSN aims to provide benefits to the people, not the other way round," he said.

Also accompanying President Jokowi at the event were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Agrarian and Spatial Planning/Head of the National Land Agency Hadi Tjahjanto, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Arsjad Rasjid.

Kadin Indonesia co-hosted the Sewindu PSN event. Arsjad Rasjid said that Kadin's involvement showed the commitment of business players to participate in the success of the PSN.

"To encourage economic growth, especially to achieve the goal of a golden Indonesia in 2045," he said.

According to Arsjad, infrastructure is not just a building, but is the foundation of economic development to create a better future for the community. "Starting from the construction of toll roads, dams, bridges, airports, ports, and railways, including the Jakarta-Bandung High Speed Train, and also the Jabodebek LRT. Infrastructure is an important factor that can drive economic growth".

He said that Indonesia's economic growth has increased by an average of 5 per cent per year in the last 5 years. This figure is one of the highest economic growths in the world, especially in the midst of the current global economic slowdown.

Arjad added that infrastructure development is not only the task and responsibility of the government. The business world also has an important role to play in encouraging the success of PSN.

According to him, the government and the business world must continue to improve synergy and collaboration for the success of PSN. Through investment and public-private partnership (PPP) schemes, Kadin as the home of the business world is ready to help the government accelerate PSN.

"Hopefully, the goal of a golden Indonesia in 2045 can be achieved. I hope the business forum can open new concrete cooperation opportunities between the government, investors, and businesses to accelerate infrastructure development in Indonesia," concluded Arsjad.