Bappenas hopes Riau Islands development outcomes are directly felt by the community

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Minister of National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (PPN/Bappenas), Rachmat Pambudy, hopes that the outcomes of the Riau Islands Provincial Government's (Pemprov Kepri) development planning are implemented consistently so that they are directly felt by the community. "Good planning must be carried out well; it is not enough to just look good on paper. And even more importantly, the results must be felt by the people. If growth is high but the people have not yet felt the improvement, it means there is something unfinished in its implementation," said Rachmat when receiving the Deputy Governor of the Riau Islands, Nyanyang Haris Pratamura, and the Regent of the Anambas Islands, Dato’ Aneng, at the Bappenas Building. In a statement received in Jakarta on Friday, Minister Rachmat Pambudy encouraged Pemprov Kepri to optimally utilise the National Priority Work Plan as a reference in compiling and implementing development programmes in the region, from the provincial level to the village level. He also invited all stakeholders to strengthen synergy between the central and regional governments in realising inclusive and sustainable development. On that occasion, Deputy Governor Nyanyang emphasised the importance of central government support in strengthening inter-regional connectivity, developing strategic economic zones in Batam, Bintan, and Karimun, as well as optimising maritime potential and green energy-based investments in the Riau Islands. He also conveyed that the Riau Islands Province has recorded high economic growth and is among the top three nationally. "The Riau Islands Provincial Government continues to strive to ensure that economic growth can be felt evenly by the community," he said.