National and Australian Governments Strategic Support to NTB

During the Provincial Program Committee (PPC) Meeting of Australia-Indonesia Partnership SKALA Program, held in Mataram on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, Acting Governor Drs H. Lalu Gita Ariadi, M.Si, shed light on the significant challenges faced in the NTB’s regional development plan. To tackle these challenges, a strategic approach supported by various stakeholders is required.

Economic growth dominated by the mining sector hinders inclusivity and sustainability, as the fluctuation of commodity prices directly affects poverty rates, and the standard of living and purchasing power of the people remains low. Additionally, developmental challenges include the continuous improvement of human resources, the ongoing need to preserve and enhance environmental conditions, the extension of basic infrastructure to reach all communities, and the refinement of governance systems.

Governor Gita Ariadi stressed the importance of realizing a transformative shift in the regional economy to tackle these issues head-on, as NTB aims to be the economic powerhouse of the Bali-Nusa Tenggara region, shifting from mining dominance to sustainable economic growth. The ultimate goal is to achieve prosperity and inclusivity for the people of NTB.

The Acting Governor also acknowledged the invaluable support from both the national and Australian Governments, evident in the multitude of programs implemented in NTB. Collaborations include innovative educational initiatives, disaster readiness programs, women’s empowerment, social inclusion, and the latest addition – the SKALA program. The Australia-Indonesia Partnership SKALA, or Sinergi dan Kolaborasi untuk Akselerasi Layanan Dasar, is laser-focused on improving development planning governance and meeting minimal service standards. However, the journey to drive the program’s implementation has not been an easy one. Effective planning must be followed by program execution, which in turn must be supported by robust monitoring and evaluation systems. To achieve the targets and goals set in the Regional Development Plan (RPD) for NTB 2024-2026, the Jumat Salam (Jumpai Masyarakat Selesaikan Aneka Persoalan Masyarakat) movement was initiated as a beacon of collaboration and synergy from all parties. The movement aims to ensure that SKALA’s implementation is successful and that the program’s objectives are achieved.