RP800 BILLION FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IN DISADVANTAGED REGIONS

Pontianak, March 27 (ANTARA) - Disadvantaged Regions Development Minister Helmy Faisal Zani said his ministry had allocated Rp800 billion in funds for infrastructure development in 147 regions.

"The disadvantaged regions need such an affirmative policy," said Helmy here on Saturday during an official visit to Pontianak.

The minister said there were several programs initiated by his office for development in disadvantaged regions. They covered electricity provision and road construction.

During the Saturday visit, the minister and Health Minister Endang Rahayu Sedyaningsih signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) about cooperation to enhance health services in remote and border areas, and islands.

He said 26 out of a total of 37 districts or cities in Indonesian border areas were categorized as disadvantaged regions. The condition was quite ironic as border areas were Indonesia's front gate, he said.

"Development in remote areas is needed to accelerate the eradication of poverty there," he said.