Jakarta to host infrastructure meet

Jakarta to host infrastructure meet

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The city administration will host the Jakarta Infrastructure
Summit late next month in a bid to attract local and foreign
investors to take part in infrastructure development, including
the seven planned inner city toll roads.

"The administration will introduce the planned projects to the
participants of the summit next month. We hope that there will be
serious investors to finance the project," said president
director of city-owned developer Jakarta Propertindo (Jakpro)
IGKG Suena on Monday.

The six planned toll roads to be constructed next year are the
Kemayoran-Kampung Melayu, Rawa Buaya-Sunter, Bekasi-Kampung
Melayu, Kampung Melayu-Duri Pulo via tomang, Sunter-Pulogebang,
Ulujami-Tanah Abang and Pasar Minggu-Casablanca routes.

Suena said the administration would establish a consortium to
accommodate private companies interested in joining the project
valued at Rp 23 trillion (US$2.5 billion).

According to Suena, the administration has not ruled out the
possibility of foreign investors financing the projects, but
stressed that it preferred domestic investors as the revenue
would be in rupiah.

Suena, who is the former assistant to the city secretary for
development affairs, also said the administration was currently
seeking permits from the central government, particularly the
Ministry of Public Works, for the toll road projects.

Deputy Governor Fauzi Bowo, who announced the plan last
Thursday, said the project would cover a total of 85 kilometers
and was expected to ease chronic traffic congestion in the
capital.

Transportation analysts, however, criticized the plan, saying
that it would not ease traffic congestion because such projects
would only encourage residents to drive their own cars.

They urged the administration to focus on the development of
public transportation -- buses and railways.