Stockholm, Sweden, ABIM (24/8/2023) – Basuki Hadimuljono, Minister of Public Works and Public Housing (PUPR) stated that the water sector plays an important role to reducing poverty and promoting economic development as well as improving public health and the environment. Due to climate change, significant finance for the water sector is therefore required in order to strengthen food and water security.

“In Indonesia in particular, drinking water, sanitation and water storage construction projects such as reservoirs only depend on central government funding (APBN) and regional government funds (APBD). These funds are very limited, while infrastructure is urgently needed,” said Minister Basuki in the World Water Week 2023 Asia-Pacific Focus Finance Sessions in Stockholm, Sweden, Tuesday (8/22).

To overcome this problem, Minister Basuki said that he would continue to encourage collaboration between the Central Government, Regional Governments and the business/private sector in the development of drinking water, sanitation and dam infrastructure.

In supporting the provision of drinking water, the Ministry of Public Works and Housing encourages various financing schemes such as Public Private Partnership (PPP) and blended financing for large-scale projects, to micro-finance.

“Currently, there are several projects under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) scheme, for example the Pekanbaru Water Supply System (SPAM), Bandar Lampung, West Semarang, Umbulan, and Dumai-Rokan Hilir-Bengkalis,” Minister Basuki said.
Minister Basuki further stated that other projects under the PPP program were in the planning stages, including the Merangin Dam, Bodri Dam, Komering irrigation, Bintang Bano SPAM, Jatiluhur I SPAM, Karian Serpong SPAM, and Jatiluhur II.

On this occasion, Minister Basuki also invited all participants to the 10th World Water Forum in Bali, which will take place in less than a year, on May 18-24, 2024.

“At the forum, there will be thematic, regional, and political processes.” The thematic approach has six sub-themes, with the issue of water sector investment covered in the fifth sub-theme, titled Sustainable Water Sector Financing,” Minister Basuki explained.

Along with Minister Basuki, other attendees include Kamapradipta Isnomo, ambassador of Indonesia to Sweden and Latvia, director general of housing Iwan Suprijanto, expert staff to Endra S. Atmawidjaja, minister of PUPR for technology, industry, and the environment, and main director of PT. Brantas Abipraya Sugeng Rochadi.(ABIM)