President Jokowi Names Three Sectors to Survive COVID-19 Pandemic

President Jokowi delivers his speech at the 2021 Kompas100 CEO Forum, virtually from the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (21/01). (Photo by: Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has announced three sectors, namely, food, pharmaceutical industry and hospital, as well as financial technology (fintech) and education have managed to survive and flourish in the throes of COVID-19 pandemic.

“If someone asks, what industry will survive this COVID-19? I believe we need to continuously develop: First, food. Second, pharmacy and hospitals. Third, financial technology and education,” President Jokowi said during the 2021 Kompas100 CEO Forum, virtually from the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (21/01).

Indonesia, the President said, will face challenges from agriculture and food sectors.

The Head of State further said that solutions to imported substitution for food products must be immediately sought and resolved.

“I just want to put an emphasis on our imported food commodities. We must solve matters related to import substitution products immediately. Million (tons) of sugar are still imported even though we have land and resources. For soybeans, we also have large land areas. Million tons of maize imports still need to be resolved,” he said.

Meanwhile, from the pharmaceutical and hospital sectors, President Jokowi also stated that Indonesia still needs to import as much as 80-85% of the need for equipment and medicines.

Therefore, as medium-term efforts, the President has invited CEOs and the business world to design a form of collaboration to connect interested parties, both small and large, to seek import substitution commodities.

In addition, Indonesia, the President added, has a great opportunity in the electric vehicle (EV) industry due to the country’s large resources. He also expressed belief that if all elements are willing to collaborate, it will make a major contribution to the country.

“I think we have to seek this kind of opportunities and be encouraged so that we can immediately implement them and make a big contribution to the country,” he said. (FID/BPMI/UN) (FI/MUR)