Gov’t Hopes for Better Economic Growth in 2018: Cabinet Secretary

Cabinet Secretary tells the reporters the results of a Plenary Cabinet Meeting on 2018 Government Work Plan (RKP), on Thursday (1/2), at the State Palace, Jakarta

Two months into 2017, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ has already held a Plenary Cabinet Meeting on 2018 Government Work Plan (RKP) and the 2018 Macroeconomic Framework and the Principles of  Fiscal Policy, on Thursday (1/2), at the State Palace, Jakarta.

Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung explained that the Meeting discussing the 2018 Agenda was held because President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla hope there are adequate time so that economic growth next year can have good quality.

“According to the report from National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) and Ministry of Finance, it is expected that economic growth in 2018 will improve compared to the figures in 2016 and 2017. This is the momentum for the Government to improve, and reduce economic gap or Gini ratio,” Pramono told the reporters after a Plenary Cabinet Meeting. Therefore, Pramono added, the President assigned all ministers to focus on creating equality and reducing economic gap.

“Although the Gini ratio during President Jokowi’s Administration has dropped from 0.41 into 0.39, the President is not satisfied yet. The President wants to further reduce the Gini ratio so the gap will be reduced as well,” Pramono firmly said.

Beside 2018 Government Work Plan (RKP), the Meeting also discussed the preparation of the 2018 Asian Games.

Considering there is only one and a half years left before the Games, President Jokowi instructed all ministries/institutions to disseminate and promote the Asian Games immediately in their public-related activities.  “Therefore, the Government hopes that the 2018 Asian Games can run well,” Pramono concluded. (DNA/JAY/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)