Indonesia has completed construction of a new administration complex in Skouw on the border with Papua New Guinea.
People from Papua New Guinea make frequent trips across the Indonesia border at Wutung Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades
The National reports the complex will soon be opened by the Indonesian President Joko Widodo.
The Indonesian vice-consul to PNG, Abraham Lebelauw, says the border complex has the strategic purpose of increasing the movement of people and trade between both countries.
Mr Lebelauw says Indonesia sees the border region as having the potential to become an economic engine room of the future.
The Indonesian construction company Karya Ninda says the Skouw border development master plan includes the construction of a township for border officers and their families.
Indonesian military guard the border with Papua New Guinea Photo: RNZ / Johnny Blades