REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, BANDUNG -- Minister of National Development Planning Bambang Brodjonegoro admitted that the infrastructure development in Indonesia had been sluggish, and so, it should be accelerated to boost the national economic growth.

"Indonesia lacks infrastructure, and its development is sluggish, compared with even India," Bambang said in a general lecture at the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) here, Friday.

Some Asian countries, such as India and China, have succeeded in developing infrastructure to boost their economic development.

Some big cities in those countries, he maintained, have established adequate infrastructure as a capital to boost economic development.

"In Jakarta, it (infrastructure development) has lagged behind. Infrastructure is our capital to grow faster," Bambang said, adding that it would need integrated efforts by the central government, local administration, state-run firms and other leading sectors, to increase investment in infrastructure development.

The head of the National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) noted that one main program of President Joko Widodo administration was to encourage infrastructure development in regions.

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"Infrastructure is a requirement for a better development," he added.

He took the example of toll road construction that could boost economic development in its surrounding areas and create more jobs for residents.

"The industrial area were built near toll roads to create jobs, which means that it will boost other sectors," he explained.

The government will involve state-run firms, as well as private sectors, to accelerate the development of infrastructure.

"Cisumdawu toll road was partly built by state-run firms. We need to speed up the development of infrastructure, regardless of the budget limitation," he said.

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