Coordinating Minister Airlangga: West Papua's Economic Growth Lowest In Indonesia

SORONG - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said the economic growth in the second quarter of 2021 for West Papua Province was -2.39 percent, far below the national 7.07 percent.

"West Papua's economic growth is -2.39 percent the lowest in all parts of Indonesia and this must be a serious concern for the local government," said Airlangga Hartarto in a coordination meeting with the West Papuan government in Sorong, quoted by Antara, Friday, September 3.

He said that in terms of business, the manufacturing sector with a limited share of 23.89 percent experienced a contraction of -9.79 percent.

The highest growth in the transportation and warehousing sector with a share of 2.61 percent grew by 13.18 percent.

Airlangga said that West Papua Province is still dominated by the service and trade sectors, so that it is the concern of the regional government to continue to encourage economic improvement.

In order to boost the economy in West Papua, he said, the service sector must be restored by encouraging exports of local commodities.

To encourage the economy in West Papua, it is planned through the Ministry of Industry to build a Petrochemical industry in Teluk Bintuni Regency.

"I hope that with good port infrastructure, the regional government can encourage agricultural products to be exported abroad," said Airlangga.