Jokowi: Indonesia's Competitiveness Increases 10 Levels Due To Infrastructure Development

Screenshot/President Joko Widodo when giving directions at the Opening of the 2023 National Strategic Project Sewindu in Jakarta, Wednesday (13/9/2023)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said Indonesia's competitiveness rose 10 places to 34 from 44 in 2022 due to massive infrastructure development.

"Based on the International Institute for Management Development, our competitiveness in 2022, previously ranked 44, last year we were ranked 34. The 10 (ranked) increase was the highest increase in the world and one of them was infrastructure," said President Jokowi when opening the 2023 National Strategy Project Sewindu in Jakarta as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, September 13.

Jokowi explained that in the last 8 years, as many as 161 national strategic projects (PSN) have been completed and absorbed 11 million workers. The increase in the number of workers is one of the factors in increasing Indonesia's competitiveness.

Therefore, Jokowi requested that all PSN be completed in the first semester of 2024. President Jokowi also asked all levels of relevant ministries and institutions to carefully supervise the development of PSN.

"Don't let anyone stall, let alone stall, look right. Once again, don't let anyone stall, check properly. Check the root of the problem, if there is a problem, give a deadline," he said.

Central and local government officials, said Jokowi, also need to respond quickly and find solutions if problems are found in the development of PSN. The President also emphasized the importance of public communication regarding the development of strategic projects in order to avoid misunderstandings with various parties.

"There was a misunderstanding, it was immediately explained to the public. This is a communication problem that sometimes does not continue. Some stop, stagnate, I see a lot of stagnant problems, because of minor problems," he said.

The President also appreciated the performance of the Minister of ATR/Head of BPN Hadi Tjahjanto for moving quickly in solving land certification problems. According to Jokowi, of the 126 million land parcels that must obtain certificates, the Ministry of ATR/BPN has completed 106 million land parcels.

"Hopefully this will be completed in 2024, 126 million. If everything goes to the next President, it will only be completed a year, so this also accelerates the completion of existing projects," said President Jokowi.