Bappenas & BaKTI Foundation Commit to Development of Eastern Indonesia

The Ministry of National Development Planning/Bappenas held a meeting with the Eastern Indonesia Knowledge Exchange Foundation (BaKTI) to strengthen strategic collaboration in accelerating the development of Eastern Indonesia. The discussion centered on opportunities for synergy between the government and BaKTI in addressing inter-regional disparities, particularly in Eastern Indonesia. Minister of National Development Planning/Head of Bappenas, Rachmat Pambudy, commended the role of BaKTI and the Eastern Indonesia Forum in tackling inequality across various sectors.

“BaKTI has taken concrete steps to reduce disparities. With their hands-on experience in various development efforts and reducing inequality in Eastern Indonesia, we can establish a more effective collaboration,” said Minister Rachmat.

The Minister highlighted disparities across sectors such as education, health, and food security, which remain significant challenges in developing Eastern Indonesia. “These disparities are interconnected. Food insecurity affects health, which in turn impacts education. Therefore, we need a comprehensive cross-sectoral approach,” he explained.

The 2025-2029 National Medium-Term Development Plan (RPJMN) aims to increase Eastern Indonesia’s contribution to the national economy from a baseline of 20.94% in 2023 to 23.3% by 2029. The development focus for Eastern Indonesia includes tourism and the creative economy in Bali-Nusa Tenggara, as well as agriculture, fisheries, and natural resources in Kalimantan, Sulawesi, Maluku, and Papua. Each region's development theme is specifically tailored: Kalimantan as the “Nusantara Economic Superhub,” Sulawesi as a “Natural Resources Economy and Industry Supporter,” Bali-Nusa Tenggara as an “International Tourism Superhub,” Maluku as the “Eastern Maritime Hub,” and Papua with its focus on “Healthy, Smart, and Productive Papua.”

The meeting reaffirmed the government’s commitment, through Bappenas, to prioritize development in Eastern Indonesia. “With collaboration and hard work, achieving zero poverty and eight percent economic growth in this region is not an impossible goal,” concluded Minister Rachmat.