PUPR Minister Basuki Welcomes Japan's Interest In IKN Development

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono welcomed the interest of the Japanese delegation in the construction of the National Capital (IKN) Nusantara.

"We are happy and we feel safe working with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)," Basuki said in his statement in Jakarta, quoted from Antara, Friday, March 31.

Basuki welcomed the interest of the Japanese delegates in assisting the construction of the Nusantara IKN in East Kalimantan and will immediately report the meeting to President Jokowi at the Bogor Palace.

Cooperation between Indonesia and Japan has been established for a long time. Moreover, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency or often called JICA. In fact, Basuki conveyed during a visit to JICA's office in Tokyo like the second office.

The Indonesian government through the Ministry of PUPR continues to strengthen international cooperation in supporting the development of IKN Nusantara, in East Kalimantan. A number of friendly countries have shown interest, one of which is Japan.

Basuki welcomed the visit of a delegation from Japan led by Advisor, The Building Center of Japan Senior Advisor, Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Dr Hiroto Izumi.

Secretary General of the Ministry of PUPR Mohammad Zainal Fatah in a meeting with Hiroto Izumi on Friday (31/3) welcomed the IKN development cooperation plan.

"Indonesia and Japan have collaborated for 65 years, of course, this is not a short time and have gained new momentum through their duties at the 49th G7 Summit in Japan and the Asean Summit in Indonesia. Thus, of course, we are all together to strengthen each other's support and learn from each other," said Zainal Fatah.

Meanwhile, Hiroto Izumi, who is also the former Expert Staff of the Japanese Prime Minister, said that during his visit this time he brought about 50 delegates from Japan who planned to visit the IKN Nusantara location on Saturday, April 1.

"The Minister of PUPR invited us to see firsthand the construction of IKN, previously we had made preparations and there had been a Japanese delegation to IKN in January 2023. This time around 50 participants were present consisting of open companies in Japan," said Hiroto.

Hiroto said that previously the Japanese had also held seminars to study the concept of IKN development.

"We need as much information as possible on how Japan can be involved in IKN development," he said.

He said that his party had formed a special team to study cooperation opportunities in the development of IKN.

"Among the private sector representatives of leading companies in Japan have considered involvement in the upcoming project at IKN," he said.