Gov’t to Improve Various Fundamental Sectors Amid Economic Uncertainties

President Jokowi Thursday (09/29) attends the 2023 UOB Economic Outlook at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta. (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Lukas)

In a bid to tackle economic uncertainties, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called for improvement of various fundamental sectors.

“We need to consistently improve the fundamentals, including infrastructure. Because that is where we can improve our foundation in the medium and long term. Because it concerns future competitiveness. We would not be able to compete with other countries if we don’t have good connectivity,” the President said in his remarks at the 2023 United Overseas Bank (UOB) Economic Outlook at Hotel Indonesia Kempinski, Jakarta, Thursday (09/29).

“Roads, airports, ports, and power plants are key, fundamental keys if we wish to compete with other countries. If we con’t have those, if our infrastructure supply is low, how can we compete with other countries,” he added.

The second fundamental, the President stated, is on downstreaming. Indonesia should not export raw materials as by preventing on doing so will yield many times more export value, he added.

“About four years ago, our export of raw nickel was only US$1.1 billion, meaning our exports a year are only Rp15 trillion. After we stop the export, let’s check in 2021. It’s US$20.9 billion. It jumped from 1.1 to 20.9, from around Rp15 trillion to Rp360 trillion. After nickel, we will stop [the export] of tin, copper. We will stop the export of raw materials,” he said.

The President added that the Government would focus on food and energy security, adding that for energy security, the President exemplified the use of B30 biodiesel expected to be improved to B40 so that it can help improve energy security amid the current energy crisis.

On food crisis, the President told that currently 345 million people in 82 countries suffer from acute food shortages and 19,700 people die every day due to hunger.

The President also urged the nation to be grateful because Indonesia still has good food security, one of which is proven by rice self-sufficiency since 2019.

“Last August, we received recognition from the International Rice Research Institute that since 2019 we have been self-sufficient in rice and our food security system is considered as good. This is what we need to continuously maintain. It’s even better if we could have a lot of excess. Why do we want to build food estates? so that there is excess in production. In addition to maintaining our food security, we can also help other countries in terms of food issues, we export them,” he remarked. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (FI/EP)