TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati projected a 13-percent growth in the tax revenue by 2017, provided that the country’s economic growth reached 5.1 percent and the inflation rate could be maintained at 4 percent as set in the 2017 State Budget Draft.

“If the economy grew by 5.1 percent, and the inflation rate was at 4 percent, the tax revenue would increase by 9 percent. With extensive and intensive efforts, another 3 or 4-percent increase [of the tax revenue] can be attained,” Sri Mulyani said in Jakarta on Tuesday, September 27, 2016.

In order to achieve a 5.1-percent economic growth, Sri revealed that the government would protect the national economy from challenges posed by the global economic slowdown.

“In 2017, the State Budget will be designed to have an adequate boosting capacity with a deficit of around 2.4 percent,” she said.

According to Sri, an improved tax base as a result of the tax amnesty program will serve as a foundation for the government to boost the tax revenue.

“We want the economy and government affairs to run well, so that they would trigger a high and healthy economic growth and create jobs to alleviate poverty,” she added.

Sri Mulyani expressed optimism that Indonesia would achieve its economic growth target set at 5 percent. However, the Minister said that the government would continue to watch the factors affecting the economic growth.

ANGELINA ANJAR SAWITRI | DIKO OKTARA