RI To Cooperate With NZ To Develop Villages

Jakarta, InfoPublik - The Villages, Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Ministry (Kemendesa) will cooperate with New Zealand to promote Indonesia Village Development Program (GDM).

 

The Villages, Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration Minister Marwan Jafar said that the cooperation with New Zealand will generate direct projects in the villages, especially the poor villages that need extra management.

 

There are 33,592 villages—or about 46 percent of the total villages in Indonesia—are underdeveloped. In addition, 13,453 villages—or about 16 percent—are categorized in “very underdeveloped.”

 

“They need special intervention so I hope that New Zealand could help with implementable programs for the villages,” said Minister Marwan in a meeting with the New Zealand Ambassador to Indonesia Dr. Trevor Matheson at the Ministry’s Office in Kalibata, Jakarta (2/1).

 

Mr. Marwan assessed that the villages in New Zealand are very developed. Therefore, it is proper for New Zealand to help Indonesia who is focusing to make the villages as the foundation of national development.

 

New Zealand has a long experience about rural development which can be done in Indonesia. “This partnership should be followed up with a concrete action,” said Mr. Marwan.

 

Meanwhile, Ambassador Matheson claimed that the Kiwis are ready to run concrete steps that are focused on helping Indonesia, particularly in developing rural areas.

 

Dr. Matheson hoped there is a comparative study between the system of rural development in both countries so it will be an effective and well targeted program.

 

“We hope that the Minister is able to visit and see our villages. As the result, positive points to be jointly developed will emerge,” he said. (Translator: Erik Limantara)