Indonesia Targets Completion of 41 National Strategic Projects This Year

TheIndonesia.co - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto stated that his ministry is targeting to complete 41 national strategic projects (PSNs) worth Rp554 trillion (around US$34.37 billion) in 2024.

He made the statement on the sidelines of the National Working Meeting to Accelerate Completion and Pre-Evaluation of National Strategic Projects in Jakarta on Tuesday, as quoted by Antara.

Hartarto noted that, cumulatively, 189 projects have been completed since 2016. The budget realization has, so far, reached Rp1,614 trillion (around US$100.19 billion), with a total workforce of 2.71 million people.

Currently, 44 projects are still in the construction stage.

He highlighted that the government is also aiming to complete the development of 16 critical mineral projects, with an investment value of Rp248.75 trillion (around US$15.44 billion).

"They include the downstreaming of nickel, copper, bauxite, and alumina, and the downstreaming of iron sand and pig iron," he explained.

Hartarto expressed hope that PSNs would become the backbone of economic transformation in the country.

"(I also hope for the) commitment of stakeholders to completing the programs on time," he stated.

He further remarked that the construction of PSNs to be continued by the next government is not sourced from the state budget, such as the Pantai Indah Kapuk (PIK) and BSD City townships.

"If not utilizing the state budget, it means that what is needed is the acceleration of licensing, then facilities related to land, then also facilitation to make financing faster," he stated.

Hartarto affirmed that President Joko Widodo had requested the provision of land from forest areas and the issuance of permits for strategic projects so that they could be completed on time.

"The president has directed us to make adjustments to the list of PSN that can be completed this year," he remarked.