The Minister Of Public Works Calls There Are Interests For Foreign Investors To Enter IKN, But...

PU Minister Dody Hanggodo (Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The government cooperates with investors to take part in the development of the Capital City of the Archipelago (IKN) in East Kalimantan. This step is an effort to anticipate the limitations of the State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).

Minister of Public Works (PU) Dody Hanggodo does not deny that the government budget is limited. Moreover, currently the government has many large-scale priority projects ranging from food self-sufficiency programs to free nutritious food (MBG).

"On track 100 percent, yes, definitely not. Right, the money is limited. We are all looking for money. If someone wants to wake up, yes, we are happy," said Dody when met by reporters at the PU Ministry office, Jakarta, Friday night, December 6.

Therefore, the government is coordinating with the IKN Authority to find solutions for funding. When asked further about the interest of foreign investors, according to him there is already interest, but nothing has been realized yet.

"There are already omons, but not yet," said Dody.

Dody said that these interests were conveyed when President Prabowo Subianto visited a number of countries and met with several entrepreneurs. Most recently, the Head of State met Japanese businessmen who are members of the Japan-Indonesia Association (JAPINDA) and The Jakarta Japan Club (JJC).

"There are many, right. Yesterday Pak Prabowo met with Japanese businessmen. Right, one of the topics. There were a lot (of interest). Yesterday when he went to the G20, he went to BRICS. Right, one of the topics is also (IKN promotion)," he said.

However, Dody has not been able to specify which countries expressed interest. This is part of the domain of the IKN Authority.

According to Dody, the government continues to boost the completion of IKN development. He said the construction of the mega project in the Prabowo leadership era would be more about completing the legislative, executive and judicial infrastructure.

"Pak Prabowo's target is August 17, 2028, already based there (IKN). As soon as August 17, 2029," he said.