Vice President Asks Regency Government to be Innovative in Formulating Policies and Using the Budget

JAKARTA - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin asked the district government (pemkab) to be innovative in making policies in the regions and using the budget to boost regional economic growth.

This was one of the Vice President's messages conveyed at the Opening of the X National Work Meeting of the Association of Indonesian Regency Governments (Apkasi) in Tangerang, Banten.

“On this auspicious occasion, I would like to convey a few messages. First, the district government is expected to continue to increase innovative ideas and steps both at the policy level and use the appropriate budget to encourage, boost regional economic growth that is inclusive and sustainable," explained the Vice President as reported by ANTARA, Thursday, July 20.

Ma'ruf Amin asked the district government to ensure the implementation of effective and accountable programs and budgets down to the sub-district, sub-district, and village levels as the spearhead of government agencies that deal directly with the community.

Second, the Vice President asked district governments to continue to encourage the creation of a healthy and investor-friendly business ecosystem in the regions, continue to strengthen local supply chains and market access so that they are able to reach national and global markets, including strengthening the marketing network for superior village commodities to more diverse markets through digital platforms.

Third, the vice president asked districts to continue to focus on superior commodities from upstream to downstream in an integrated manner.

"Also strengthen opportunities in the Islamic economics and finance sector, given the large and rapidly growing market potential," said the Vice President.

He said the regency's contribution to the development of sharia economy and finance would also determine Indonesia's success in realizing the vision of becoming a world halal center by 2024.

The Vice President encouraged the district government to take advantage of the Apkasi Autonomy Expo 2023 event which was also held on the sidelines of the X Apkasi National Working Meeting as an event to promote regional superior commodity and investment tourism destinations, including halal products and services, such as food, drinks, fashion, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and halal tourism.

"Many districts have tourism potential that deserves to be developed to attract investors to grow the creative economy, create jobs, and increase the income of local residents while preserving local culture," he said.

Related to this, the Vice President reminded to build a sustainable tourism business. Apart from that, according to him, halal tourism is worth developing considering the number of world Muslim tourists continues to soar to reach 110 million tourists in 2022.

"Finally, strengthen the quality of human resources in their respective regions, boost the reduction in the number of stunting until they reach the target prevalence of stunting of 14 percent in 2024," he requested.