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Surabaya, East Java (ANTARA News) - The ports of Tanjung Priok in Jakarta and Tanjung Perak in Surabaya, East Java, are essential parts of the 2015 ASEAN Connectivity program for goods and services distribution across Indonesia, a senior minister said.

We have made Tanjung Priok and Tanjung Perak part of the 2015 ASEAN Connectivity," Economic Affairs Coordinating Minister Hatta Rajasa said here on Saturday.

Therefore, he said, the government was giving full attention to the two ports. "No disruption must ever happen in Tanjung Priok and Tanjung Perak," he said.

Hatta made the statement in response to a complaint about the slow customs inspection process lodged by East Java Governor Soekarwo.

"Goods at the Customs Office cannot be released quickly as they have to be thoroughly checked by police," he said.

The governor said he did not complain about the preventive effort against increasing smuggling of narcotics from abroad but "if the clearance process takes up to seven days this is ineffective," he said.

He said the long process at the customs office could affect prices. "The price of goods could be higher in the Indonesian eastern region (if it continues) and this may trigger inflation," he said.

He said the Indonesian government would submit the blueprint of the ASEAN Connectivity program on transportation lanes in the fourth ASEAN Economic Community meeting in Da Nang, Vietnam.

Hatta said the project would be funded by donor countries. Japan had even agreed to provide US%500 billion to help Indonesia realize the program.

He said Indonesia plans to develop a Trans-Sumatra toll road that will be connected with the sea transportation lines to the Indonesian eastern region.

Hatta admitted Indonesia has already agreed with load requirements for ASEAN namely roads that used to be allowed to accommodate only up to 8 tons of loads will be improved to accomodate up to 10 tons of loads.

He said the government has also prepared 17 sectors under the economic pillar of so-called "Blueprint AEC."(*)

Editor: Ruslan Burhani
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