
Bank Indonesia – Supplied
Jayapura, Jubi – Chief Representative of Bank Indonesia Papua Province Joko Supratikto stated Papua’s rich natural wealth has not turned into more investment due to a lack of poor infrastructure and a low skilled work force.
Joko said a study by Bank Indonesia found many investors were interested in doing business in Papua,
“But it can only be materialized if the government improved the infrastructures including the facilities of transport and electricity, human resources development and security guarantee,” he said in the national seminar of Papua Banking Expo 2016 in Jayapura on last week.
According to him, the government could not count on the State Budget only, but should manage private investment for the achievement of the development.
“We can take the opportunity and improve it for the welfare of the Papuan community,” said Joko.
Deputy of Bank Papua Fauzan explained Papua economic growth fluctuated to suit the achievements of the mining sector with the average growth of 3.35 percent within the last 15 years. If compared with the economic growth without the mining sector, it is relatively high and stable with the average 8.76 percent in the last five years.
The challenge of investment, said Fauzan, depends on the natural resources commodities, the price of global commodity and the basic development capital that yet not optimized such as road quality, electrification, and low-quality human resources.
“Of 183 respondents consisting of the entrepreneurs, corporations and banks stated Papua must be achieved 31 percent to be considered for investment is the feasible infrastructure, local potencies, proper employers and security,” he said.
Economist David Samula urged all parties including the government and stakeholder to walk together in order to materialize the Papuan vision, Risen, Developed and Prosperous.
“To build Papua should be started from all sectors in every stages gradually,” he said. (*/rom)