TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo, also known as Jokowi, stated that the government had set a 5.6 percent economic growth target for 2018. during set an economic growth target at 5.6 percent for 2018.
"I want the target to be achieved not only in 2018, but also in 2017, since we only passed the first three months," President Jokowi said in a plenary meeting held at the State Palace in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 4, 2017,
During the meeting, Jokowi also discussed an indicative threshold for the 2018 State Budget Draft (RAPBN). The President revealed to ways to boost the economic growth, namely by increasing export volumes and boosting investments.
President Jokowi admitted that the global economy is still experiencing a slowdown. However, Jokowi asserted that Indonesian products must reach new markets.
"An opportunity exists in countries with a population of 60 to 80 million," President Jokowi added.
In terms of the economic growth, President Jokowi gave ministers instructions related to budget saving, expenditures for education and health, the Family Hope Program, and optimization of agriculture programs in the horticulture sector.
In terms of budget saving, President Jokowi called for assessments of annual programs. The President said that budget cuts will be carried out on ineffective outlets so that more funds could be channeled to capital expenditures.
"I think we can save a lot of money," Jokowi added.
The Central Statistics Agency (BPS) reported that the Indonesia's economic growth reached 5.02 percent in 2016, which was higher than that in 2015 at 4.88 percent.
ADITYA BUDIMAN
