Jokowi Allocates A Budget Of IDR 30.5 Trillion For Internet Infrastructure

President Joko Widodo (Doc. Special)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo has budgeted around IDR 30.5 trillion for the development of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in 2021. This budget allocation will be focused on accelerating digital transformation in government institutions.

"Optimizing infrastructure and shared services in priority development areas with additional internet access in around 4,000 villages and sub-districts in the 3T area," Jokowi said in a speech delivering the Draft Law on the 2021 State Budget at the DPR / MPR RI Building, Friday, August 14.

The plan for infrastructure development in 2021 will also budget around Rp.414 trillion, primarily for economic recovery, provision of basic services, and increased connectivity.

In general, said Jokowi, the government carries the theme of fiscal policy for 2021, namely "Accelerating Economic Recovery and Strengthening Reforms". That way, the draft 2021 State Budget policy is primarily directed at accelerating the national economic recovery due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The Covid-19 pandemic shows that the availability and functioning of digital infrastructure is very important and strategic. Thus, infrastructure spending is directed at strengthening digital infrastructure and encouraging logistics efficiency and connectivity, labor-intensive infrastructure that supports industrial estates," said Jokowi.

Previously it was reported that Jokowi would also budget for education costs of IDR 549 trillion in 2021. The budget allocation will be used to improve the quality of human resources, the ability to adapt technology, increase productivity through economic knowledge in the industrial era 4.0.