Indonesia’s Economy Gradually Improving Thanks to Pandemic Control: President Jokowi

Photo Caption: President Joko Widodo in his remark at the 2021 Kompas100 CEO Forum at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (18/11). (Source: YouTube Channel of Presidential Secretariat)

The COVID-19 pandemic control is the key factor to economic recovery, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.

“As we can see, if we can control COVID-19, God willing, the economy will crawl up and the indicators are now starting to appear,” President Jokowi said in his remarks at the 2021 Kompas100 CEO Forum at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (18/11).

The President further said that on the production sector, the Consumer Confidence Index (IKK) is gradually improving which had returned to its pre COVID-19 figure, which was 113.4. “The Retail and Sales Index also strengthened along with the increase in mobility at 5.2 percent,” he added.

In addition, due to demand from domestic and foreign consumers, the country’s Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has also exceeded the pre-pandemic figure, President Jokowi said.

“I remember (the figure) prior to the pandemic is 51, now it’s at 57.2,” the President said, adding that the Government also continues to build infrastructure which are currently being completed, starting from new and expanded airports, ports, to dams as a foundation in the medium and long terms to boost Indonesia’s economic growth.

The Head of State also urged regional heads to connect the infrastructure that had been constructed with the surrounding economic areas.

“I have ordered the provincial, regency, and municipal governments to immediately connect the roads that have been built—this toll road for instance—to areas of agriculture, tourism, plantation, and industry,” President Jokowi remarked. (FID/UN) (GWH/MUR)