TEMPO.CO, Padang - A total of 70 regencies located in Indian Ocean coastline agreed to establish the Indonesian-Indian Ocean Local Government Forum (IIOLGF), the elected forum chairman, said on Wednesday, September 9.
“Regions in the Indian Ocean coastline have great potential of natural resources,” Padang Mayor Mahyeldi Ansharullah said. Mayor Mahyeldi was elected as IOLGF first chairman.
Mahyeldi said that regencies and cities in the Indian Ocean coastline have not been prioritized in the infrastructure development in Indonesia. For instance, Mahyeldi explained, the government prioritized eastern Sumatra and north Java in the Acceleration and Expansion of Indonesia’s Economic Development (MP3EI) program and the Sumatra Toll Road project.
Mahyeldi said that the forum will focus on five sectors, namely disaster risk and management, maritime and fisheries, tourism and cultural exchange, investment and trade, as well as education and technology.
“The IIOLGF is aimed at supporting the maritime programs prioritized in President Joko Widodo’s vision and mission,” he said.
Mahyeldi said that all regencies and cities under the IOLGF were hoping to build a strong communication with the central government to realize equitable development. Mahyeldi added that the IOLGF was established prior to the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) event to be held in Padang, West Sumatera, in October this year.
“This is an opportunity for Indonesia to explore the potential along the Indian Ocean coastline,” he added.
ANDRI EL FARUQI
