Kunker To China, Minister Basuki Explores Infrastructure Financing Cooperation With AIIB

JAKARTA - Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono made a working visit (kunker) to Beijing, China, on September 22-24, 2024.

On the sidelines of his working visit, Basuki met with representatives of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) on Monday, September 23.

This meeting discussed opportunities for cooperation between the Ministry of PUPR and AIBB regarding the support of the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme or Government Cooperation and Business Entities in financing the development of water resource infrastructure, roads, bridges, settlements and housing.

Especially, to support the main programs of the new government that will soon work.

Basuki said that limited government funding capacity in infrastructure development is the basis for seeking breakthroughs in infrastructure financing through investment from various parties, including AIIB.

"We have identified several infrastructure projects that we can discuss and explore as opportunities for cooperation between AIIB and the PUPR Ministry for the next government period," Basuki said in a written statement, Tuesday, September 24.

According to Basuki, his party has proposed support for infrastructure development in the field of connectivity by continuing the construction of the Trans Sumatra Toll Road for the Jambi 'Regat' section, the construction of the Batam 'Bintan long span bridge.

In addition, sanitation is in the form of solid waste management for sustainable urban development.

Then, the program for the construction of 3 million houses combined with the provision of residential area infrastructure.

"We hope that AIIB as one of the international development partners involved in financing PUPR infrastructure development will continue to collaborate with the Government of Indonesia in accelerating infrastructure development programs for the new government for the next 5 years," he said.

One of the infrastructure development projects that has been running with the support of AIIB, namely the Modernization of Strategic Irrigation and Urgent Rehabilitation (SIMURP) with a value of 250 million US dollars.

Later, this will be useful for improving irrigation services through rehabilitation, revitalization and modernization of water resources and irrigation systems as well as strengthening institutions and improving operational and maintenance management.