Jakarta – Aceh Governor Irwandi Yusuf has said President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo has instructed him to encourage investment in the province.
"The President emphasized [that the provincial administration] should convince investors not to be hesitant about investing in Aceh," Irwandi told reporters after meeting with the President at the State Palace in Central Jakarta on Tuesday.
Irwandi, however, admitted that security and the province's restive history remained nagging issues for investors.
Irwandi was installed for a second term in office after winning the recent gubernatorial election. He will serve until 2021.
According to Irwandi, the region shows relatively low crime rates compared to other provinces across the archipelago. He has asked the central government and Indonesia's ambassadors abroad to actively campaign for his province in order to convince investors about the opportunities available in the country's westernmost province.
"We will also fully support the central government's programs, such as toll road construction, special economic zone development and irrigation projects," Irwandi said. (dmr)