Anindya Bakrie Says Regions Can Grow Strong, Not Just Rely on the State Budget

JAKARTA - Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) Anindya Bakrie said regional economic growth does not only depend on the APBN and APBD. He said that the neat cooperation between the regional government and Kadin also determines the economic strength in the region.

Anindya conveyed this after meeting President Prabowo Subianto with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) throughout Indonesia at the Presidential Palace Complex, Jakarta, Friday, July 31.

According to Anindya, Kadin has been traveling a lot to the regions and has seen a positive relationship between the cooperation of local governments with business actors.

He gave examples of North Maluku, North Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, and West Nusa Tenggara. When cooperation runs smoothly and strategically, the growth of the region is considered to be strengthened.

"When the collaboration is very neat, strategic partnerships, the growth is also very strong," said Anindya.

Anindya said the interesting thing about the region is that its growth source does not only come from government spending.

"This growth does not only come from the state budget and the regional budget, but from the creativity of all of them," he said.

The meeting at the Palace was attended by Kadin managers from various regions, including South West Papua, West Papua, North Kalimantan, East Nusa Tenggara, and Aceh. Associations and business gatherings were also present.

Anindya said that Kadin had prepared itself since the meeting with Prabowo in Hambalang about a year ago. At that time, he said, the business world was reminded of economic and geopolitical turmoil.

He said energy resilience, food security, and economic resilience are inseparable parts of national resilience.

Anindya said Indonesia's economy grew by around 5 percent for 20 years. However, to get out of the middle-income trap, Indonesia needs to move gradually towards 8 percent growth.

According to him, this target can be achieved if the government and the business world work together.

"We see that if we work together, this is something that may be done," said Anindya.