Jakarta (Antara Bali) - Infrastructure projects should be undertaken by local contractors to improve the circulation of money in the regions, according to President Joko Widodo (Jokowi).
Speaking at a function held to sign the 2016 Fiscal Year Contract Activities at the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry's office here on Wednesday, the president remarked that at least 90 percent of the infrastructure projects in the regions use local contractors.
President Jokowi noted that several infrastructure projects this year are under Rp50 billion in value, so as to enable the local contractors to undertake them.
"I want greater circulation of money in villages. The money should not just flow into villages and then return to Jakarta," Jokowi stated.
The head of state also urged the contractors to prioritize the use of local products rather than imported ones.
"Do not use a lot of imported goods. Stop it if necessary, and use local goods," he emphasized.
In addition, the president also advised that the implementation of public works and public housing infrastructure projects in 2016 must be labor-intensive and increase employment opportunities as the government is keen to create as many jobs as possible.
"We want to create as many jobs as possible. Funds totaling Rp104 trillion will be used by the Public Works and Public Housing Ministry for infrastructure projects to increase employment opportunities," Jokowi remarked.
On the occasion, the president witnessed the signing of the contract for the 2016 fiscal year at the office of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing.
The contract signing ceremony was conducted at five locations simultaneously: Medan, Banjarmasin, Surabaya, Manado, and Jayapura.
In a bid to accelerate infrastructure development in 2016, the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing has 10,649 contract packages valued at Rp73.41 trillion, and the ministry has organized an early auction from August to December 2015 for 5,344 packages worth Rp42.74 trillion. (WDY)
