TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) invites investors to work on Indonesia's infrastructure projects. Bappenas chief/National Development Planning Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said Indonesia has a strategic role to establishing regional connectivity.

"As the largest country in Southeast Asia, in terms of economy, Indonesia has a vital role," Bambang spoke at the ASEAN G2B Infrastructure Investment Forum in Jakarta, Tuesday, November 8.

Bambang said Indonesia is a promising market, and the government invites local and foreign private investors to work together through public-private partnerships (PPP).

"We strongly support the PPP mechanism. It is crucial, as developing ASEAN's connectivity will bring prosperity, especially in isolated areas," he said.

ASEAN member states have adopted the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 (MPAC 2025) in Vientiane, Laos. The MPAC 2025 aims to create five strategic agendas in Southeast Asia: sustainable infrastructure development, digital innovation, smooth logistics flow, regulatory support, and easiness in mobilizing the population.

Bambang stressed that building this partnership has its challenges, namely the political commitment to consistently build infrastructure projects involving the private sectors, as well as funding.

"But with concrete measures, we believe we will overcome these challenges."

FAJAR FEBRIANTO | SETIAWAN ADIWIJAYA