TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati on Tuesday said the key to recovering the economy by 5 percent in 2021 lays down to how the COVID-19 pandemic is currently handled.

“The factor that can help recover the economy, among others, is the handling of COVID-19 through health protocols that has been implemented this year and in the following year,” said the finance minister in a virtual press conference on September 29.

She assures that the collective discipline upon implementing the health protocol can reignite economic and social activities that have been curbed by the government’s social restrictions in provinces that were hit hardest by the pandemic.

Sri Mulyani also mentioned the availability of a vaccine as another factor in the national recovery plan - which the government is constantly working together with other countries to find - as she believes will bring optimism towards Indonesia’s 2021 economic performance.

“The timeline from the finding of this vaccine will be able to reduce uncertainty, especially this year and the next. This can affect our economic recovery swing.” said the finance minister. “We will build Indonesia’s economic foundation to be more productive, competitive, and innovative with the omnibus law being the basis of it along with budget reformation and backing investment management institutions.”

Read: Sri Mulyani To Lower Fiscal Stimulus for Business Sector Next Year

ANTARA