Indonesia Must Strengthen Inter-Regional Trade: President Jokowi

President Jokowi said in his opening remark at the 2021 Autonomy Expo of Indonesian Regency Government Association (Apkasi) at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Wednesday (20/10).

Each region must be focused on developing its own superior products, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“So we can support and complement each other in our national value chain,” President Jokowi said in his opening remark at the 2021 Autonomy Expo of Indonesian Regency Government Association (Apkasi) at Bogor Presidential Palace, West Java, Wednesday (20/10).

The Head of State also ordered strengthening of inter-regional trade so foreign products cannot be dominant in Indonesia.

“Since our domestic market is very large and has potential because our population is 270 million and the middle class is growing very rapidly,” he added.

President Jokowi also underscored that Indonesian economy must be reactivated while consistently paying attention to the COVID-19 handling.

“I’d like to express my deepest gratitude for the support of all regents in carrying out vaccination in the regions,” the President said, adding that each regent must continue to monitor and evaluate the development of the pandemic situation in their respective regions for there are some relaxations on public activity restrictions.

President Jokowi also urged regional governments to remain vigilant altough the current pandemic situation is under control at a low level.

“Please also check the medicines stock and the readiness of hospitals although I know that the bed occupancy rate in each region is now all low,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (GWH/EP)