South Sulawesi-Japan Explore PPP Schemes for Infrastructure Development

RRI.CO.ID, Makassar - The Provincial Administration of South Sulawesi and Japan have begun exploring strategic partnerships across several sectors, with a primary focus on infrastructure development through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) schemes.

South Sulawesi Provincial Secretary Jufri Rahman met with the Head of the Japanese Consular Office in Makassar, Ohashi Koichi, and JICA Sulawesi Regional Advisor, Shintani Naoyuki, on Wednesday, April 29, 2026. The meeting marks a concerted effort by the provincial administration to strengthen international collaboration and accelerate regional growth.

“This meeting discussed various cooperation opportunities, including the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme for infrastructure development, such as toll roads and mass transportation,” Jufri said in Makassar.

The provincial administration views the PPP model as a sustainable alternative for financing major projects without placing an immediate burden on the regional budget. By leveraging private investment, the province aims to modernize its transportation network and essential services.

Several key projects are currently under discussion as part of the strategic cooperation. The partners are prioritizing the development of integrated transit systems to improve regional connectivity through mass transportation initiatives.

Additionally, the expansion of toll roads is being planned to facilitate smoother logistics and drive economic movement across the province. Finally, the development of waste-to-energy power plants is being explored as a sustainable solution for environmental management.

Beyond physical infrastructure, the partnership is set to extend into human resource development. The Japanese government plans to dispatch instructors to vocational high schools (SMK) in South Sulawesi to teach specialized technology skills that are currently in high demand within the Japanese labor market.

“This program is expected to benefit both parties. Japan obtains skilled labor, while we gain job opportunities for graduates. In addition to technical skills, it is also important to provide Japanese language and cultural training,” Jufri explained.

This dual-benefit approach aims to bridge the gap between local education and international industry standards, ensuring that South Sulawesi’s workforce is prepared for global opportunities while receiving the necessary linguistic and cultural orientation to succeed in Japan. ***