Kupang, E Nusa Tenggara (ANTARA News) - Admiring a rapid development in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) province, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said the central government was serious in improving the local people`s welfare.

"This is my visit to NTT for the umpteenth time, and in each of my trip here I always see the difference toward a better direction. As we can see that the provincial capital city of Kupang is getting more progress, greener, more fertile, and more lively," the president said in his remark at a function to observe the National Press Day 2011 here on Wednesday.

According to the head of state during his working visit in East Nusa Tenggara, the central government would continue to promote the progress of the province bordering Timor Leste.

The president explained that in his visit to the province until Friday (February 11) he would like to obtain first hand information about the real development progress in addition to attending the peak event on the National Press Day.

"I will receive a report from NTT governor this afternoon, but I would also like to tell the people here about what the central government is doing and will do for the development here," the president said.

Budget allocation to NTT province, according to the president, continued to increase every year.

"Allocation of funds from the state budget last year for NTT was Rp14.1 trillion and this year it will rise to Rp16.1 trillion after the governor report the concept of rapid economic development," the president said.

President Yudhoyono is scheduled to leave Kupang city for Timor Tengah Selatan (TTS) district town of SoE to stay overnight there before proceeding to Atambua on Thursday morning.

While in Atambua, the head of state and First Lady Ani Yudhoyono will stay overnight in a military tent to visit Yonif 744/SYB military personnel guarding the border area shared by Indonesia and Timor Leste.(*)

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Editor: Jafar M Sidik
Copyright © ANTARA 2011