Vice President Ma’ruf Amin inaugurated the Rp 380 billion (US$26 million) airport on Tuesday. It is able to serve 55,000 passengers annually and is located about 15 kilometers away from the regency’s capital of Muara Teweh, a riverside town.

He said the new airport would support the movement of goods such as coal, gold and palm oil, would increase tourism and would improve domestic connectivity, particularly in relation to the food estate program, part of the 2020-2024 National Strategic Projects list.

“I hope that cooperation with airlines and cargo services can be well established so that quality products from North Barito regency can be distributed to various regions,” he said in a press statement.

Muhammad Sidik Airport is the fourth remote airport inaugurated since mid-March, after Kuabang Airport in North Maluku, Toraja Airport in South Sulawesi and Pantar Airport in East Nusa Tenggara. The government is seeking to catch up on its infrastructure plans after many projects were held back by last year’s COVID-19 restrictions.

Read also: New Tana Toraja, Pantar airports launched to boost travel in eastern Indonesia

Central Kalimantan and North Sumatra are the main locations for the Jokowi administration’s food estate program, which is meant to bolster the nation’s food security.

In Central Kalimantan, the government plans to develop some 164,600 hectares to cultivate crops such as rice, a staple food for most Indonesians. The province’s food estate is expected to produce 7 tons of rice per hectare.

“Central Kalimantan is the second-largest province in Indonesia. That is why we need the transportation infrastructure support, especially for air travel,” said Central Kalimantan Governor Sugianto Sabran.

Read also: Explainer: All you need to know about the govt’s food estates

Transportation Minister Budi Karya Sumadi said the new airport would replace Beringin Airport, which was closed in September 2020 because it was hemmed in by developed land and sat in the middle of the regional capital, preventing further expansion.

“Haji Muhammad Sidik airport is built to bring connectivity to the people of North Barito regency, both for passengers and cargo,” Budi said. “The airport’s development is expected to open up the economy and develop underdeveloped, remote and outlying areas.”

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