REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, MANILA – The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has provided a loan of 300 million USD for Indonesian program of Masterplan for Acceleration and Expansion of Economic Development (MP3EI). The loan is allocated to improve domestic and international connectivity in Indonesia.
The Deputy Country Director ADB Indonesia, Edimon Ginting, said the loan was a form of its partnership with government to reduce infrastructure discrepancy. ADB will support government’s effort to open the access for the poor in rural areas, opening the road towards inclusive and sustainable development.
“Poor connectivity, inadequate infrastructure and high logistic cost prevent Indonesia to achieve faster economic growth and create equitable development,” Ginting said.
He exampled that more than 70 percent of rice price differences in Indonesia was caused by high transport cost due to poor condition of roads, overcrowded ports and underdeveloped inter-island transport system. ADB also expect the loan to enhance social service, create conducive business climate, promote the participation of private sector in infrastructure, improve technology and create more jobs.