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People expect economic benefits from West Kalimantan border post: Jokowi
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Economic hub: President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo walks in front of the renovated Aruk integrated cross-border post (PLBN) in Sambas regency, West Kalimantan, on Friday. (Courtesy of the Presidential Office/File)
P
resident Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has expressed his hope that a renovated border post in Sambas regency, West Kalimantan, will benefit residents by improving the local economy.
The President said he believed the Aruk integrated cross-border post (PLBN) could spur growth in the surrounding area.
“I just wish for people to make optimal use of the border post in Aruk as a new economic growth center. This should not be used only as an immigration, quarantine and customs and excise office. People should benefit from the PLBN through a growing economy in Sambas,” said Jokowi after inaugurating the post on Friday.
(Read also: Jokowi inaugurates border post in West Kalimantan)
The PLBN Aruk is the third border post inaugurated by Jokowi in West Kalimantan. The President inaugurated the PLBN Nanga Badau in Kapuas Hulu on Thursday, while the first such post was inaugurated in Entikong last December.
“We have built three PLBNs with a sophisticated design, which are all located in West Kalimantan,” he said.
The President also expressed his gratitude for hearing that West Kalimantan’s economy had grown at a rate of 5.22 percent last year, outpacing national average growth of 5.02 percent.
President Jokowi has vowed to improve border posts given their importance for economic development in areas far away from Indonesia’s urban centers.
In 2016, he instructed relevant authorities to accelerate the development of seven border areas: three regencies of West Kalimantan, namely Sambas, Sanggau and Kapuas Hulu; three regencies of East Nusa Tenggara, namely Belu, Malaka and North Timur Tengah; and Jayapura in Papua. (hol/ebf)
