Palu, C Sulawesi, April 2 (Antara) - The National Development Planning Ministry/National Development Planning Board (Bappenas) continues to encourage the development of Palu City`s Special Economic Zone (SEZ) to enable it to compete with other SEZs in the country.

Deputy for Economic Affairs of Bappenas Loenard VH Tampubolon said here on Sunday that the Bappenas focuses its attention on the development of Palu`s SEZ. For this, the SEZ is included in the Middle-Term Development Program of Bappenas.

Palu`s SEZ constitutes a strategic area in the Indonesian eastern region, so that the central government considered it important to increase its development.

As a center of industrial, export, import and other economic activities, Palu`s SEZ supports the advancement of economic development in Sulawesi, he said.