President: regional development to determine country's fut

ANTARA News - 2006-11-03 09:29:56

Jakarta, November 2, 2006 (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has said the future of Indonesia is to be determined by regional development.

Therefore, he said, the ability of regional administrations and local communities to synergize and collaborate with investors will change the future of the nation.

"A country will never make significant progress without regional development. Investors should meet and cooperate with potentials in the regions. Now is the right time to build a new Indonesia," Yudhoyono said before more than 400 businessmen from various countries, provincial governors, mayors and district heads at the opening of the Indonesia Regional Investment Forum (IRIF) here on Thursday.

On the occasion, the head of state asked the governors, district heads and mayors from across the country and the businessmen to regard local communities as integral parts of national development.

"This is our post-crisis deal to become a strong country in the economic field and in democracy," the president said at the forum organized by the Regioal Representatives Council (DPD).

The opening of the two-day forum was also attended by DPD Chairman Ginanjar Kartasasmita, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Widodo AS, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Boediono, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani, Trade Minister Mari Pangestu and Cabinet Secretary Sudi Silalahi.
Yudhoyono also expressed hope that the direct provincial and district head elections (Pilkada) would lead to the improvement of the business climate in the country.

"Decentralization is not intended to create more corruption but to make the local systems more transparent," the president said while also asking the governors and district heads to be more competitive in selling the potentials of their respective regions.

"Investors will not knock on doors from house to house like book salesmen. Remember that they have a lot of choices. Therefore, know that you are not only competing with other provinces and districts in Indonesia but also with provinces in other countries as well," Yudhoyono said.

Meanwhile, DPD sources said the IRIF was participated in by more than 400 investors from 20 countries around the world.