PORTALJABAR, DISTRICT. GARUT - The Regional Development Planning Agency (Bappeda) of Garut Regency together with the Bandung State Polytechnic (Polban) are aligning steps in facing local development challenges through the Workforce & Innovation Planning Forum Group Discussion (FGD) Strengthening the Ecosystem Partnership for Regional-Based Innovation Development took place in the Bappeda Hall, Regency Garut, Thursday (25/4/2024).

During the meeting, Head of the Garut Bappeda, Didit Fajar Putradi, emphasized the importance of collaboration between local governments, educational institutions and other agencies to optimize public services and improve the quality of life of the community.

Considering that regional governments have limitations in terms of governance, development and community empowerment. So it is hoped that regional governments can expand their collaborative networks with universities, ministries and other institutions to be able to help each other.

In this context, Polban plays a key role with its programs, both those originating from the institution itself and those supported by the Ministry of Finance.

Didit highlighted the innovation development guidance and assistance program which is focused on five districts/cities, such as Bandung Regency, Bandung City, West Bandung, Cimahi and Garut Regency. With this collaboration, it is hoped that there will be synergy between regional development needs and the potential of Polban.

Didit added that this collaboration is a new energy for the government in expanding the cooperation network.

Didit said that his party would continue to expand its cooperation network with various parties with the aim of bringing value for benefits to Garut Regency.

"(Hopefully) of course we will have the opportunity to address the gaps or needs of regional governments in the framework of implementing government development and community empowerment which Polban can really help with," he said.

Didit also said that the innovation programs that had been implemented by regional officials in Garut Regency, one of which was in terms of developing SMEs by providing assistance in terms of marketing and packaging through packaging houses or the Garut Packaging House.

"Well, because Polban has a department that is close to that, relevant to that, we will collaborate later with the UKM Diskop, with the Manpower Office, perhaps because the Manpower Office has the BLK," he said.

Team for Strengthening the Partnership Ecosystem for Regional-Based Innovation Development, Rida Hudaya, said that Polban is one of the universities from the West Java and Banten consortium which carries out research related to the potential for innovation that can be developed in a region, especially the Garut Regency area.

In this case, Rida praised one of the innovation programs from the Garut Regency regional apparatus, namely packaging houses or production houses. According to him, this program can be developed so that it can give birth to several other programs in Garut Regency.

"This program will be part of existing programs at provincial and national levels. West Java is planned to be divided into several regions, West Java north, south, west, east. Hopefully Garut can be a driving force for the southern part of West Java." he said.

The follow-up to this meeting includes the preparation of a program for 2024-2025, which will serve as a guide in implementing innovation and employment strategies in Garut Regency. It is hoped that all of this will be a concrete step in strengthening regional development in a holistic and sustainable manner.