Melinda Gates Appreciates Indonesia’s Social Assistance Programs

President Jokowi receives Melinda Gates, the Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at the Suma I Waiting Room, Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta

Prior to his departure to pay a working visit to Riau Islands Province, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo received Melinda Gates, the Co-Chair and Trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, at the Suma I Waiting Room, Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta, on Thursday (23/3).

In that 30-minute meeting, President Jokowi showed several e-money cards as the form of Indonesia’s social assistance program. “We have Smart Indonesia Card (KIP), Healthy Indonesia Card (KIS), and Aspiring Family Program (PKH). These programs are aimed at improving people’s prosperity and human resources quality. The Government also starts using banking services,” the President said.

To that explanation, Melinda expressed her appreciation. “We really appreciate the programs. We have learned so much during our stays in Indonesia in the past few days and we hope that the programs can be adopted in other countries,” Melinda stated.

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, who accompanied President Jokowi, told the reporters that the meeting discussed several issues relating to inclusive finance and poverty eradication.

Both parties suggested that the discussion should be followed up immediately with the implementation. “No conclusion generated in the meeting but they delivered their ideas and it will be reaffirmed at higher level meeting to make it more concrete,” Darmin said.

Also on that ocassion, Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno added that Melinda Gates appreciated several Indonesia’s national priority programs which are implemented in the administration of President Jokowi and Vice President Jusuf Kalla. Melinda also admitted that other countries can take many lessons from the Government of Indonesia.

Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati added that Melinda Gates respected the cooperation between Gajah Mada University and John Hopkins University which is supported by the Gates Institute. “A research on mosquitoes and dengue has made progress and it is expected to bring benefits not only to Indonesia but also to other countries which have similar problems,” Sri Mulyani said.

Melinda Gates also considered the implementation of Indonesia’s family planning program fairly successful and innovative. “Particularly when involved medical personnels who are equipped with tablet computer in order to give better services to women, particularly, in rural and remote areas,” Sri Mulyani added.

Accompanying President Jokowi during the meeting were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Minister of State-Owned Enterprises Rini Soemarno.

In the meantime, Melinda Gates was accompanied by Sue Desmond-Hellmann, Chief Executive Officer, BMGF; Hari Menon, Policy & Government Relations Lead – South-East Asia, BMGF; Michael Wiegand, Financial Services Director for the Poor, BMGF; and Maria Dinariati Maris (Inke Maris). (UN/BPMI/ES) (RA/MMB/YM/Naster)