Minister Of PUPR Basuki Emphasized The Importance Of Access To Clean Water To Encourage Economic Growth

PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono at the High Level Experts and Leaders Panel (HELP) Conference of the Indonesian G20 Presidency. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) Basuki Hadimuljono stated that the availability of access to clean water through infrastructure development with new technology will encourage and increase economic growth.

"Cooperation, new scientific and technological arrangements in maintaining water resources are very important to increase economic growth and equitable development between regions," he said at the High Level Experts and Leaders Panel (HELP) Conference of the G20 Indonesia Presidency, quoted by Antara, Friday, November 11.

Basuki said that infrastructure development in order to provide access to clean water for the community is one of President Joko Widodo's priority agendas.

The development of water resource infrastructure with new technology is one of the priority agendas because it is believed that it will be able to level development between regions which will ultimately encourage economic growth.

Therefore, the government has a responsibility to ensure access to clean water and sanitation for the entire community, develop better settlements and restore the environment from climate change.

What's more, the burden on society becomes heavier after the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic to increase worse living conditions, including having an impact on social and economic systems.

In fact, currently there are 2.4 billion inhabitants of the earth who are in need of access to clean water and sanitation.

In addition, Basuki said disasters triggered by climate change would result in long-term investment in water infrastructure so that the government would continue to synergize in meeting clean water and sanitation needs.

He emphasized that the cooperation and sharing of new technology about water resources will be able to increase economic growth and level the welfare of the community.

"Infrastructure development (water resources) is one of the President's priority programs," he said.