JAYAPURA - Budget efficiency policies carried out by the Central Government pose challenges to regional economic development. However, local governments see other opportunities to maintain economic growth, one of which is by optimizing the e-catalogue system.

Head of the Papua Goods and Services Procurement Bureau, Debora Salosa, said the involvement of local business actors in the e-catalogue would help. One of them is in maintaining economic stability amid budget constraints.

"Papuan entrepreneurs are encouraged to be included in the local e-catalogue so that they remain involved in the process of procurement of goods and services. In this way, economic growth can still run even though infrastructure is affected by budget cuts," said Debora, Monday (10/2/2025).

One of the strategic steps proposed by Debora is the transfer of most procurement projects to other sectors. Such as the free nutritious meal program (MBG).

"If infrastructure is affected, we can take advantage of the free meal program as an opportunity for economic growth. As long as the food comes from locally, the agricultural sector and Papuan MSMEs can still develop," she said.

Meanwhile, Debora also reminded the Regional Apparatus Work Unit (SKPD) to be more mature in planning procurement projects. She asked that all planning documents, including the latest price survey, be prepared immediately so that they can be included in the e-catalogue.

"Regional Work Unit must be ready with mature planning documents, such as work terms of reference and draft contracts. If you want infrastructure projects to keep running, the planning must be solid from the beginning," she said.

She hopes that the central government will immediately provide certainty regarding the scheme for empowering local business actors. So that e-catalogues can be the main tool in maintaining Papua's economic stability in the midst of budget cuts.

Meanwhile, the Papuan Government plans to hold a special exhibition for service providers who have been registered in the e-catalogue. "This exhibition aims to introduce more local business actors into the digital-based procurement system and accelerate transactions," said Debora. ***