Jakarta, 27 October 2023: The Indonesian Ministry of Finance (MOF), in collaboration with the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia (ERIA), hosted a national seminar and soft two-volume book launch on the nation's National Strategic Projects (PSN), under the theme Infrastructure for Inclusive Economic Development in Indonesia.

ERIA President Professor Tetsuya Watanabe, Minister of Finance (MOF) Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Coordinating Minister of Economic Affairs (CMEA) Airlangga Hartarto, and Secretary General of the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing (MPWH) M Zainal Fatah all spoke at the event.

Approximately 300 attendees, including executives from the MOF, CMEA, MPWH, the Infrastructure Development Acceleration Committee (KPPIP), the State Asset Management Agency (LMAN), PT Sarana Multi Infrastruktur (SMI), the IIGF Institute (the knowledge management unit of PT Penjamina Infrastruktur Indonesia), local governments, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), the Ministry of National Development Planning (Bappenas), Prospera (the Australia Indonesia Partnership for Economic Development), and the World Bank, took part in the seminar and soft book launch.

Prof Watanabe delivered the opening speech, highlighting the comprehensive analysis provided in the book's two volumes regarding Indonesia’s infrastructure development. He emphasised the critical role infrastructure plays in advancing key programmes outlined in President Joko Widodo’s Nawacita nine key points' development agenda. He also underscored how infrastructure’s growing significance extends to global issues, encompassing digital, climate-resilient, and artificial intelligent infrastructure.

ERIA, as a major think tank in the region, is eager to work with Indonesia and other ASEAN member states on infrastructure research and capacity building. The two volumes, produced in collaboration between ERIA and the MOF,  provide useful insights into strategic management to maximise budget efficiency and achieve socioeconomic goals, which are a great lesson for growing economies in Southeast Asia and other countries.

Following the launch, Airlangga Hartarto spoke on Debottlenecking Development, while Sri Mulyani Indrawati discussed innovative funding for infrastructure development and emphasised the necessity of public-private partnerships. M Zainal Fatah highlighted MPWH's strategic expertise as a significant player in the development of the PSN.  

Infrastructure for Inclusive Economic Development Vol.1: Lessons Learnt from Indonesia, was co-edited by Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Titik Anas, Candra Fajri Ananda, and ERIA's Senior Economist Fauziah Zen. The second volume, Infrastructure for Inclusive Economic Development Vol.2: Case Studies of Accelerated Projects, was co-edited by Kiki Verico, Heru Wibowo, and M Halley Yudhistira.

The two volumes were a collaborative effort also involving other key stakeholders in Indonesia’s infrastructure policy, including the Coordinating Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing, the Infrastructure Development Acceleration Committee, and the State Asset Management Agency.