Infrastructure development is said to have had a positive impact on efforts to accelerate economic recovery in the regions. Even in Central Java, which at the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic experienced a decline in economic growth of up to -5.92%, this year it has recovered and exceeds the national average. Assistant for Economic Development of the Regional Secretariat of the Central Java (Central Java) Provincial Government, Peni Rahayu said economic growth in Central Java had increased. "Currently, it is above the national average, it can reach 5.16 percent. Since the beginning of 2021, it has started to creep up, although it had fallen as low as in the second quarter of 2020. It was up to -5.92 percent. Alhamdulillah, it has crawled up in 2021, it is positive, by the end of the year it has been 3.32 percent and in the second quarter of 2022 it has reached 5.16 percent, while the national average is 5.02 percent," he said at the Nyengkuyung G20 Webinar Series with the theme Connectivity and Squeeze. Infrastructure in Promoting Economic Recovery, which was held by Solopos Media Group (SMG) and Harian Jogja, supported by OJK, Prodia, Telkom and BPD DIY, Wednesday (15/6/2022). According to him, economic growth is directly or indirectly influenced by infrastructure development, especially the Trans Java Toll Road. “We are very grateful to the central government. In Central Java, the Trans Java has been built, and now the Solo-Jogja toll road is in progress. Then Bawen-Jogja has also been prepared," he continued.
Meanwhile, on the seafront, the Sea Embankment Toll Road which is integrated with the sea wall has also been built, the Semarang-Demak route is also in process. According to him, with the Trans Java toll road, now there is a huge number of economic revivals. Even Central Java is also a location for infrastructure development through the development of national strategic projects. This includes the Kendal Industrial Estate, the Borobudur National Tourism Strategic Area (KSPN), and the Batang KIT. On the other hand, connectivity roads between toll roads that have been built or are being prepared will also be made. It is hoped that this will increase economic activity in the region. Based on the records of the Central Java Provincial Government, several economic developments with the Trans Java Toll Road will be able to increase investment by 11%. Another positive impact that appears is the efficiency of time to access other areas. Locations adjacent to toll road exits are considered to be rapidly developing as a business area, including MSMEs, the trade industry, financial services, including the tourism industry. “This will be able to increase competitiveness and add value by reducing logistics costs which will ultimately contribute positively to regional economic growth. It is proven that currently Central Java is above the national average," he continued.
On the same occasion, the President Director of Wijaya Karya (Wika), Agung Budi Waskito, said that during the pandemic, many projects that came from the private sector and SOEs were hampered. That way many projects come only from the government. However, at the beginning of 2022, the condition gradually returned to normal. "So now we are starting to revive projects that were previously delayed, so that they will help the regional economy," he explained at the same event. On the other hand, he said that currently SOEs are also being encouraged as a sector that plays a role in accelerating the economy. In fact, it has also been directed directly by the Minister of SOEs. “In this way, SOEs are not just corporations that must grow. However, they are also involved in mapping the regions so that SOEs also have responsibilities both in terms of investment and social and environmental responsibilities," he continued. He said that in the last 10 years, quite a lot of development activities have been carried out by the company. This is in line with the President's directive to boost infrastructure development. That way, Wika and other BUMN Karya, together with the government, work hand in hand to accelerate development. After the pandemic hit, now his party continues to be involved in recovery activities. Among them are continuing investments that were previously slightly hampered.
