Covid-19 Outbreak, Oil Prices Affect Drafting of 2021 Budget: Sri Mulyani

Minister of Finance answers reporters’ questions at the Presidential Palace, Jakarta, Monday (9/3). (Photo by: Jay/PR)

In the drafting of 2021 State Budget, the Government will take into account the current developments in the last two months, including the impact of covid-19 outbreak and oil prices, according to Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani.

“We will evaluate the development and economic impacts of the spread of coronavirus and its global impact on our economy,” Sri Mulyani told reporters at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (9/3).

According to Sri Mulyani, oil prices will also affect the drafting the 2021 State Budget, particularly related to the dynamics between Saudi Arabia and Russia in terms of the ongoing relations between the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) countries and non-OPEC countries which has caused significant drop in oil prices in the past two days.

“Concerns regarding covid-19 outbreak worldwide have also taken its toll on  financial markets. Therefore, we also have to anticipate the impacts on financial institutions,” the Minister said, adding that the Government is also taking into account lending, credit performance, and the ability to deal with the pressure.

For this year, according to the Minister, the Government will continue to use fiscal instruments and will seek to formulate a fiscal policy to help cushion against the impact of Covid-19.

Sri Mulyani also noted that the country’s main tax revenue from the oil and gas sector will also experience pressure if commodity prices fall and economic activity weakens due to the outbreak.

“Therefore, the 2020 State Budget will indeed widen its deficit. We estimate that the 2020 State Budget deficit will be 2.2-2.5 percent of gross domestic product (GDP). We will do the evaluation from the revenue and spending sides,” the Minister added.

The Government will focus on policy formulation given the fact that the situation continues to develop and the so-called formulation of fiscal stimulus will be devised in accordance with existing developments, the Minister said.

“We’ve seen the impacts of covid-19 outbreak on the country’s hospitality sector, restaurants or on manufacturing industries,” Sri Mulyani said, adding that the Government will continue the development and examine the best design that fits the current situation.

The Minister went on to say that she will coordinate with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs to weigh options of stimulus that remained in the corridor to make the State Budget as one of the boosts for the economy.

“We are focusing on it and at the same time we also start to draft the 2021 State Budget,” the Minister said. (FID/EN)

Translator: Muhardi

Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas