Jakarta, Sept. 6 -- Indonesian Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto emphasized the importance of strengthening the capacity of local government officials in governance and public policymaking to accelerate regional progress.

He delivered the remarks during an event in Jakarta that served as a prelude to the Australia Awards Short Course on Governance and Public Policymaking for Subnational Governments, according to a statement received here on Thursday.

In the presence of Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Rod Brazier, the deputy minister stressed that regional governments need skilled human resources capable of formulating effective development and budgeting plans to strengthen local fiscal capacity.

He added that one of...