Open Indonesia's Construction 2023, Coordinating Minister Airlangga Expresses President Jokowi's Hope About Infrastructure

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs (Menko) Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. ANTARA)

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto opened the 2023 Indonesian Construction event organized by the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR).

This event will be held from 1-3 November 2023 at JiExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta.

In his remarks, Coordinating Minister Airlangga said the construction sector was still in a difficult and challenging situation.

In this case, the price of construction materials and land acquisition is experiencing a surge due to the impact of global geopolitical conditions.

"I would like to express my appreciation to all the people of construction services who have always supported the government in accelerating infrastructure development from Sabang to Merauke even though the situation was not easy or difficult," said Airlangga at the opening of the 2023 Indonesian Construction event at JiExpo Kemayoran, Jakarta, Wednesday, November 1.

"Among other things, due to the increase in raw material prices or material prices, global uncertainty, geopolitical turmoil, and the most important thing for the construction sector is land acquisition costs," he added.

Airlangga hopes that this 2023 construction event can present an interconnection between the material industry, equipment, construction technology and construction services, all of which are the main pillars of digital-based infrastructure development.

"The president always hopes that this massive and equitable infrastructure will become Indonesia's capital so that it can be free from medium-income countries as well as the construction sector, providing a multiplier effect on economic growth and employment opportunities," he said.

He added that the construction sector itself was able to grow around 5.23 percent on an annual basis or year on year (yoy), and contribute to the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by 9.43 percent.

"We also see investment indicators achieving Rp375 trillion and also with global economic growth expected to weaken at 3 percent, the government has implemented an infrastructure budget in 2024 of Rp422.7 trillion, especially to encourage acceleration and equitable development," Airlangga added.

According to Airlangga, the construction sector in the last 10 years still relies on an old or decades old business model, so a digital model is needed to accelerate the process of construction itself.

"Efficiency in the use of resources, innovation and community involvement is important and of course the transformation of the construction process is also important, especially for the surrounding community so that traditional construction can follow a more modern process," he explained.

On the same occasion, PUPR Minister Basuki Hadimuljono conveyed his remarks via video that building infrastructure is not only assembling concrete and steel, but must be able to provide added value to economic activities while increasing competitiveness and economic growth.

"I, Basuki Hadimuljono, PUPR minister Basuki Hadimuljono, invite all industrial stakeholders and construction services to continue collaborating to create construction and technology innovations that can compete with technological products or products from outside countries," said Basuki.

According to Basuki, Indonesia's construction in 2023 is a great opportunity for all parties to show the embodiment of people's big dreams of industry and construction services in Indonesia.

"Come on, everyone participates in the success of the 2023 Indonesian Construction," he added.

The main agenda of the 2023 Construction of Indonesia includes national calls for paper & conferences, exhibitions and construction awards, construction competitions, 2023 Indonesian Construction book reviews, and the Badminton of the Forum. The general public can also enjoy coaching clinics and clinical PUPR which will provide a lot of important information and useful services for business entities and individuals.

In addition, the public and professionals in the construction sector can also enjoy various conferences and workshops with various themes.

The presence of experts, international speakers, and innovators in the construction sector ensures that the 2023 Indonesian Construction will be a valuable learning and collaboration event.