TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Darmin Nasution said that as of September 2019, 81 National Strategic Projects have been completed by the administration of Joko "Jokowi" Widodo's first term in office. The projects that have been completed and are now operating have an investment worth of Rp390 trillion.

Darmin said the government continues to encourage the acceleration of national strategic projects, which consist of 223 projects and three programs with an investment value totaling at Rp4,180 trillion.

"From the 223 projects, the government had set 37 priority ones with a total investment value of over Rp2,500 trillion. The implementation of those projects will be monitored by the Committee for the Acceleration of Priority Infrastructure Provision (KPPIP)," the minister said on October 2.

In addition, there are 27 other projects, one electricity program, and one economic equality program under construction—some already starting to operate.

Meanwhile, 22 more projects are still under construction and will be start operations this year.

Darmin said that advanced, high-quality infrastructure is needed to reduce logistics costs, encourage growth and push for equitable distribution, so that the state ideals to leave the middle-income trap could be achieved.

Apart from works included in the national strategic projects, the government has also prepared a number of non-physical infrastructure programs to ensure the availability of skilled human resources through the development of vocational and certification programs.

Muhammad Hendartyo