TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo recently lamented on the economic impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak on the global and domestic economy. According to the president, economic activities have dived and hampered trade and investments.

“Investments that initially showing interest held back due to the coronavirus,” said President Jokowi in the work meeting with the Trade Ministry at the State Palace on Wednesday, March 4.

He also talked about the country’s supply and demand along with the production that also affected by the disease outbreak.

Due to this situation, the president called for his state-ministries to work outside the box and create breakthroughs that can solve the slowing economy.

“Supply, demand, and production are affected. All of them. So be mindful and don’t take this issue lightly,” the president warned.

Jokowi also requested export and import permits to be slackened to accelerate Indonesia’s domestic supplies. He also reminded other state administrators, not just the Trade Ministry, to respond quickly on the matter and mitigate plans amid the coronavirus crisis.

DEWI NURITA