President Jokowi Asks for Less Imports to Improve Economy

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo in a press release on Wednesday reminds stakeholders in the government to prioritize the state spending in the purchase of local products rather than imports. 

The president noted PT Dirgantara Indonesia, PT Pindad, and PT PAL in terms of defense spendings from local SOEs. 

“Stop spending from outside sources for a moment. Buy local products to help ignite the economy, our economy,” said President Jokowi in a press release sent by the Presidential Secretariate on Wednesday.

President Jokowi said the same goes to Indonesia’s healthcare and medical aspects that can utilize locally-made COVID-19 test equipment and drugs. He mentioned that the production of personal protective equipment had reached 17 million per month, “Even though we only use less than 4 - 5 million units.”

Jokowi also asked for state-ministers to simplify regulations related to state spending especially those with large immense budgets such as the education ministry, defense ministry, social affairs ministry, and transportation ministry. 

Also in the meeting, the president argues that the growth in the country’s third-quarter will be the key sign of a national recovery for the remaining time of the year.

Read also: Jokowi Calls on Ministers to Switch to Extraordinary Channel

ANTARA