TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro said that tax revenue would not reach its target of Rp1,072.3 trillion in the revised 2014 state budget. However, the government is still optimistic that tax revenue will at least reach 93 percent of the target. “We’re still seven percent short, but it can still be improved,” said Bambang on Monday.

He said the government is still attempting to meet tax target, including by undertaking expenditure efficiency. The government also seeks to optimize medical profession tax and others.

In the cabinet meeting on Monday, the government said it would maximize revenue in several sectors such as agriculture, fishery and tourism and catch up on tax shortage through non-tax state revenue.

Cabinet Secretary Andi Widjajanto said the government would cut bureaucracy and obstacles in non-tax state revenue, one of them in marine and fishery sector. The government wants to ease licensing to maximize revenue.

Tax revenue will also be maximized with the establishment of the National Creative Economy Agenc. President Joko Widodo deliberately did not put creative economy under the ministry because he wanted to have access for direct control. “There’s a high target for creative economy’s contribution in revenue,” said Andi.

FRANSISCO ROSARIANS