Nearing Ramadan, Ministry Instructed to Ensure Enough Food Supply

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has given an order to the Trade Ministry to ascertain that food supply is sufficient ahead of the Ramadan fasting month that will start in the end of April.

"The fasting month of Ramadan is in the near future. The supply of goods must be adequate and ensure that the people do not feel uneasy. People are now concerned about the spread of coronavirus. Do not add to the anxiety," Jokowi stated at the opening of the ministry's working meeting at the State Palace here on Wednesday.

The president spoke of the rising price of garlic in February that had contributed 0.09 percent to the inflation rate.

The head of state also urged the authorities to lessen barriers to meet the supply of foodstuff in the domestic market.

"I can cite the example of (the price hike of) garlic that has affected the inflation rate. It is all because of procedures," he stated.

Jokowi highlighted the need for the Trade Ministry to take requisite measures to respond to the increased global economic tensions arising from the coronavirus outbreak, including to simplify licensing for import to meet the domestic demand.

"We can hold discussion on the regulation on this. There must be relaxation of imports. We need that. Import procedures, certificate of origin, licensing, and relaxation," he noted.

The president affirmed that efforts targeting simplification of procedures should be the focus of the meeting. "The situation is different since we have a coronavirus outbreak," he pointed out.

Monthly inflation in February was recorded at 0.28 percent (month-to-month) that brought the year-on-year inflation rate to 2.98 percent

Commodities that contributed to the inflation are garlic, 0.09 percent; red chili, 0.06 percent; chicken meat and oranges, 0.02 percent respectively.

ANTARA