Alreinamedia.com –President Joko Widodo explained a number of efforts made by the government to increase national economic growth, one of which is to carry out downstream in the regions. According to the President, each region has the potential to carry out downstreaming.
This was conveyed by the Head of State in his remarks when officially opening the 2023 National Working Meeting (Rakernas) of the Association of Indonesian Provincial Governments (APPSI), which was held at the Ballroom of the Novotel Hotel, Balikpapan City, on Thursday (23/2/23)
“Don’t just think that downstream is in nickel, in copper. In fisheries, agriculture, plantations have great potential too and all regions have all of this,” said the President.
The President gave an example of downstreaming carried out by Thailand, namely by beautifying ordinary young coconut packaging to become ‘Coco Thumb’ so that it has up to three times the added value. The President believes that the Indonesian people can also do the same thing if they are given encouragement and support.
“We can’t, we can really do that. The regions can really do that and the people can do that. Push for it,” said the President.
Another example is downstream in the fisheries sector. According to the President, the added value of fish will increase if it is converted into various kinds of processed fish products and fish meal.
“Fishermen, MSMEs, cooperatives, small industries are encouraged to do this and other products which vary widely in the regions,” said the President.
Apart from downstreaming, the President also stressed the importance of maintaining the investment climate in the country. The President referred to investment as one of the keys to national economic growth.
“Right now, the key to economic growth in all countries is the most important, only 1, how does the investment come in? And all countries are fighting over what is called investment,” said the President.
Therefore, the President asked the governors to facilitate licensing so that investors who will invest in their regions do not experience problems or obstacles. “Please check again, check again regarding the ease of licensing, check again,” said the President.
The President also asked the governors to immediately change the investment licensing process by utilizing information technology. The President believes that digitalization will make investment licensing easier and faster.
“Don’t take months, it’s days at the latest, hours if possible. How can there be digitization in permits for all provinces, regencies and cities,” he said. (Arizki)
Editor: Erwin Syahril
