Netherlands Disburses IDR 5.72 Trillion For Indonesia's Water Infrastructure Project, Including Giant Sea Wall

JAKARTA - The Dutch government has expressed its commitment to support Indonesia's priority programs in the field of water resources (SDA). One of these supports is to realize the construction of a giant sea embankment or Giant Sea Wall.

This was discussed in a meeting between the Dutch Ambassador to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and Asean Marc Gerritsen at the Ministry of Public Works Office, on Thursday, April 10. The meeting was to discuss cooperation in the water resources sector under the framework of MoU on Water.

Gerritsen said the funding injection was given through the Invest International funding agency of 300 million euros or around Rp. 5.72 trillion (assuming an exchange rate of 1 euro= Rp. 19,083).

"Invest International in collaboration with the Ministry of Finance Indonesia has prepared a funding package worth 300 million euros in grants and soft loans to support strategic projects in the water sector, renewable energy and waste management," Gerritsen said as quoted from his written statement, Monday, April 14.

The funding is planned for several priority initiatives, including coastal protection such as in Demak and Cirebon as part of the Giant Sea Wall initiative, the construction of peatwater treatment plants into drinking water in Riau and South Kalimantan as well as waste to energy at the Legok Nangka TPA, West Java.

According to Gerritsen, since 2008, the Dutch Government has been involved in the early stages of planning and technical studies of the northern coastal security project in Java through the National Capital Integrated Coastal Development (NCICD) program.

He also emphasized the country's commitment to supporting sustainable implementation through an integrative approach that includes nature-based solutions, social protection and cross-ministerial coordination.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo appreciated the Dutch Government's support and cooperation in Indonesia's infrastructure, especially in the field of water resources.

Dody assessed that his party learned a lot from the Dutch experience in managing water resources. He also detailed that currently the government's priority programs in the field of water resources include irrigation, ready-to-drink water, flood control and coastal security.

"Giant Sea Wall is one of President Prabowo's priorities to protect the north coast of Java from the threat of tidal flooding, abrasion and land subsidence," said Dody.

To note, the Ministry of Public Works and the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Resources have collaborated in the water sector under the auspices of MoU on Water since 2000 and is currently entering the fifth period of cooperation with the MoU renewal signed in 2022 and valid until 2027.