TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Director of Research at the Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (INDEF) Berly Martawadaya says he has analyzed the policies that need to be handled by Joko “Jokowi” Widodo’s administration in his second term in office.

Berly argues that the main focus of Jokowi’s economic policies must be aimed to improve Indonesia’s food and energy security.

“Because we are getting even more vulnerable, which is not strategic,” said Berly in Jakarta yesterday.

Moreover, he says that the government needs to greatly improve on making the industry much more competitive such as by providing incentives, which then can be directed to be more competitive in terms of export-oriented industry.

“An export-oriented industry is needed if you want a growth above 6 percent and reduce rupiah’s fluctuation,” said Berly.

The third focus recommended by Berly is to reduce the disparity between Indonesian regions by veering away from the old Java-centric ideals, to which the government has applied but would still need to focus developments around Sumatra and Sulawesi.

The Indef director of research also called for the government to pay attention to the pharmaceutical industry, which he argues is one of the most strategic sectors that can potentially be developed.

DEWI NURITA