REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA -- The Ministry of Underdeveloped Villages, Region and Transmigration will work towards developing the villages located in border areas to better face the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) 2015.

"We will prioritize the development of villages located in the border areas and the outer islands that directly face the neighboring countries," Task Executor for Director General of Development and Villager Empowerment Suprayoga Hadi stated here on Sunday, February 22.

The ministry is supporting the capacity building programs of the government in several underdeveloped regions to enhance infrastructure and human resources, particularly for the villages in the border areas.

"With regard to infrastructure development, the border villages must be equipped with good dock facility, so that the connectivity would not be tenuous. The government will also impart education and training to develop the skills of human resources," Suprayoga said.

The government has set a target to develop several villages, including those in North Kalimantan and Natuna District as they are the northernmost islands located in Karimata Strait. The villages in northern Sulawesi that border the Philippines will also be developed.

"We are targeting to develop the economic condition in the regions, including the villages and underdeveloped areas. We hope that this program will be implemented in one year," Suprayoga remarked.

The plan to develop the villages is in line with President Joko Widodo's directive to enhance several villages located in the border areas. According to the ministry, at least 1,138 villages located in the border areas are targeted for infrastructure and human resource development. Suprayoga said the program, which had been initiated since early 2015, is expected to be successful in improving the competitiveness of the local people.

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