Blitar, North Lampung, Probolinggo top survey of local economic governance

The cities of Blitar and Probolinggo in East Java, along with North Lampung regency in Lampung, top a recent survey on local economic governance by the Regional Autonomy Implementation Monitoring Committee.

The survey looked at 245 cities and regencies in 19 provinces across Indonesia. It was conducted between August 2010 and January 2011 on respondents from 12,391 companies.

Of the top 20 cities and regencies, 11 are located in East Java. Regions in Papua and Maluku dominate the bottom 20.

However, Sorong regency in West Papua managed to grab fifth position. 

Nine parameters were used in the survey: Infrastructure, development of private enterprises, land access, interaction between business communities and local administrations, business licensing, local taxes and fees, security and business conflict resolution, capacity and integrity of regional heads, and local regulations.

Jakarta was excluded from the survey.

Office of the Coordinating Economic Minister Hatta Rajasa said the findings were important to improve regional autonomy and achieve good governance in local administrations.

"We have to improve regional autonomy by accelerating development and giving incentives to less-developed regions," Hatta said. (mim)