VP Says "PNPM Mandiri" Internationally Recognized

Jakarta (Antara Bali) - The National Program for Independent Community Empowerment (PNPM Mandiri) has become internationally recognized as a poverty alleviation program in Indonesia, Vice President Boediono said here on Tuesday.

"It is internationally recognized. Indonesia is now the place to study the way to implement community empowerment programs to lessen poverty in the country," the vice president said after opening the national working meeting on rural-based PNPM Mandiri programs.

Further, Boediono said that some countries have sent experts to Indonesia to study the program.

Therefore, the vice president expressed his hope that the quality of the program would continue to improve.

He added that the program's standards could only be maintained and improved if the smallest irregularities are dealt with properly and quickly.(IGT)