199 regions still underdeveloped

199 regions still underdeveloped

DENPASAR, Bali: Almost half of the country's approximately 400
regencies and cities remain underdeveloped, with most of these
poor regions in eastern Indonesia, a minister said on Thursday.

There are 199 regencies and cities that are categorized as
disadvantaged, which means between 20 percent and 30 percent of
the population is poor, there is a high rate of unemployment and
a lack of public infrastructure such as electricity and clean
water.

To combat poverty in the regions, the government will focus on
developing infrastructure and empowering people through
education, said Syaifullah Yusuf, the state minister for the
development of disadvantaged regions.

The minister has submitted a proposal that the government
channel Rp 1.65 trillion between 2006 and 2008 to spur
development in 49 underdeveloped regions. -- Antara