Govt to open development forum

Govt to open development forum

JAKARTA (JP): State Minister for Development Planning
Ginandjar Kartasasmita said yesterday that the government will
open a consultation forum here early next month to discuss the
actual needs of development in the country.

Ginandjar, also the chairman of the National Development
Planning Board, said that the input from the forum will be used
to streamline the existing development plans so that development
projects will match the actual needs of the people.

"The idea is how to match the development plans to the
people's needs and how to coordinate the development efforts in
villages and at the national level more effectively," he
announced after reporting the planned opening of the forum to
President Soeharto.

He acknowledged that development projects in rural areas often
do not match the people's actual needs since they are planned
without consulting the local people.

Ginandjar said the forum will discuss input from consultation
forums at the provincial level and discuss recommendations from
similar consultation forums in districts.

"The outcome of the national forum will then be added to the
existing development plans," he said.

Ginandjar also said that he would lead the Indonesian
delegation to the 10th meeting of the Organization of Islamic
Conference in Istanbul, Turkey.

He said the Turkish meeting will discuss an action plan to
promote economic cooperation among member countries.(hen)