Indonesia has been speeding up ten key infrastructure projects in energy, oil refinery, water supply and transport to boost its economic growth and ensure social welfare.

In a recent meeting, President Joko Widodo asked his government to simplify procedures and beef up key projects towards completing them within the year.

He also urged the construction of Indonesia’s first subway, which is underway and expected to be operational by 2019. The Indonesian government has established a working group to monitor the project’s progress and resolve difficulties expeditiously.

According to their Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Indonesia has been inviting the private sector to invest in infrastructure projects to fill the nation’s need for 5,500 trillion Rupiah (411 billion USD) for infrastructure development over the next five years, given the state budget will only be able to provide an estimated 1,178 trillion Rupiah (88 billion USD).

The country plans to expand its infrastructure spending by 2.5 times to 290 trillion Rupiah (21.7 billion USD) this year, Indonesia’s National Development Agency said, adding that the increased sum will be allocated to upgrading power plants, roads and airports nationwide.

Director General of the Industrial Estates Development Imam Haryono noted that the Ministry of Industry is scheduled to allocate 55 trillion Rupiah (4.11 billion USD) to build support facilities for 13 industrial parks outside the Java Island over the next five years.-VNA