TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Villages, Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration Ministry is set to cooperate with the United States to accelerate development in villages through information technology.
US Ambassador to Indonesia Robert Blake visited the ministry on Thursday, March 3, 2016 to pitch development projects in three sectors, namely technology, energy and health. Blake said that the US would help with the Indonesian government’s Village Fund Program.
Villages, Disadvantage Regions and Transmigration Ministry Marwan Jafar revealed that the assistance would be in form of management training and education for communities on the village fund management. Marwan said that we positively welcomed the offer.
“Our villages have potential businesses and good products. The US will help to market [the products], either with Google or Microsoft,” Marwan said in a press release on Thursday, March 3, 2016.
Marwan added that the meeting with the US Ambassador would be followed by the ministry’s relevant directorate general.
“[The plan] will be followed up immediately. We’re promoting technology literacy and energy independency in villages,” Marwan explained.
Mr. Blake said that the US would be happy to assist Indonesia in developing the three sectors. In addition, Mr. Blake pointed out the information technology was important to support villages economy. As the Internet reached massive users, Mr. Blake said that expanding the reach to all villages across Indonesia would be a solid move in order to improve people’s quality and productivity.
“President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has welcomed the idea of providing Internet access in villages. With the rapid development in gadget technology, many applications can help people improving their productivity,” Mr. Blake said.
GHOIDA RAHMAH
