Jokowi Urges Ministers to Study Coronavirus' Impact on Economy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo held a limited meeting to discuss the macroeconomic framework and fiscal policy principles and the work plan for 2021 at the Presidential Office, Jakarta on Monday, March 9.

At the beginning of the meeting, the President asked his ministers to calculate the risk of the weakening global economy in detail that was also attributable to the coronavirus outbreak earlier this year and possible further economic impact in 2021.

“I ask for detailed calculations. Our mitigation measures taken in 2020 must be strengthened further in 2021. The 2021 fiscal policy draft must be able to support the resilience of the national economy, overcome various risks and protect us from global economic turmoil. This needs to be underlined,” he said at the Presidential Office, Jakarta on Monday, March 9.

The country’s economic development in the third quarter of 2019 was recorded at 5.02 percent, which was good enough amid global economic uncertainty and recession in some countries, he added.

“I am confident that structural reform that we carry out consistently, especially after the issuance of the omnibus law, will generate new momentum for our economic growth,” he said.

The former Jakarta governor hoped Indonesia’s economy would continue to grow so that next year’s fiscal policy could provide stimulus, increase national economic competitiveness, create added value, and encourage equitable development.

“[We must improve] investment, push industry downstream, and strengthen MSMEs,” the President remarked.

Moreover, Jokowi urged his cabinet ministers to trim trade balance deficit and current account deficit in 2021, improve human resources through education, health, vocational training programs by implementing the pre-employment cards program, and alleviate poverty in the country.

DEWI NURITA