VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

 

If a country wants to become the winner in the competition with another country, then the most fundamental and very basic thing to be prepared is the availability of adequate infrastructure. "Because of this infrastructure, transportation and logistics costs will be much cheaper," said President Joko Widodo during Groundbreaking of Pekanbaru Stage I (Padang - Sicincin) toll road and the inauguration of Padang Bypass Capacity Expansion Project at Jln. Padang Bypass Km. 25, Padang City, West Sumatra Province, Friday afternoon, February 9, 2018.

On the occasion, the President said logistics costs in the country are more than twice that of Malaysia, even with Singapore,  wbich isthree times more expensive. "How can our country's products compete when transportation costs, logistics costs twice as much as three times more expensive than other countries," the President said.

Therefore, the start of construction of the 244 km-long Padang - Pekanbaru toll road can reduce logistics costs. Moreover,  this time it takes approximately 9 hours from Padang to Pekanbaru. 

The President estimates that after the construction of this toll road is completed in 2023, Padang - Pekanbaru can be reached for 2.5 hours to 3 hours. This decrease in travel time can improve competitiveness. "Things like this are more efficient and cheaper when compared to the expenses we spend today," said the President.

The estimated cost of the Padang - Pekanbaru toll road investment is Rp78 Trillion. The toll road is also expected to have a tremendous positive impact on the economy of West Sumatra and surrounding areas as well as Riau Province.

The province of West Sumatra is a province that is known to have potential in the tourism sector, among others Mandeh which is currently only in the stage of road development to get to this area. "Then also Bukittinggi, also Tanah Datar everything in West Sumatra is beautiful and beautiful everything," said Head of State.

But the natural beauty of a region without the support of adequate infrastructure will not encourage tourist visits. "Who wants to come in? Who wants to visit? Nothing, but maybe if the infrastructure is ready, this infrastructure exists, doubled can be 3 times, 4 times even five times," said the President.

In Padang - Pekanbaru toll road section the longest tunnel in Indonesia  with  estimated cost Rp9 Trillion will also be built because it must penetrate Bukit Barisan Mountains 

Also present accompanying President and First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Agriculture and Spatial Planning / Head of BPN Sofyan Djalil, Social Minister Idrus Marham, Deputy Minister of EMR Arcandra Tahar, West Sumatra Governor Irwan Prayitno and BRI Chief Commissioner Andrinof Chaniago. (Release Protocol, Press and Media of  Secretariat of the President)