BPS: Economic Growth Target Difficult to Achieve

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Central Statistics Agency (BPS) chairman Suryamin said the government would have to work hard to achieve the target of economic growth set at 5.5 percent. 

"To achieve the number, the economic growth in the next two quarters must be really off the charts," Suryamin said at his office on Tuesday, August 5, 2014. 

According to Suryamin, the government can boost industries and reduce imports, as well as encourage domestic raw material processing, to achieve the target. In addition, small and medium enterprises must be empowered. 

"The potential is huge. There are 3.1 million [small and medium enterprises]," Suryamin said, adding that such enterprises would be able to meet domestic demands and absorb labors.

In addition, Suryamin explained that the government must also work with private sectors since many of them affect other sectors, such as hotel industries. 

Suryamin considered that the target of the economic growth this year would be difficult to achieve due to a slowdown in the gross domestic product. In the first quarter of 2014, the economic growth was at 5.21 percent, and 5.12 percent in the next quarter. To achieve 5.5 percent this year, Suryamin said, economic growth must hit 6 percent in the next quarter. 

TRI ARTINING PUTRI