President Jokowi Instructs Trade Minister to Evaluate Indonesia’s Export

President Jokowi opens Ministry of Trade’s Working Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (31/1)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has instructed Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita to evaluate Indonesia’s export, which is still far behind those of Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand.

“Thailand’s export value in 2016 amounted to US$231 billion, while Malaysia’s was US$184 billion, and Indonesia’s was US$145 billion,” President Jokowi said during the opening of the Working Meeting of  the Ministry of Trade, at the State Palace, Jakarta, on Wednesday (31/1).

The President asserted that there is something wrong, given that Indonesia – which has abundant human resources – lags behind Thailand with a population is about 68 million, Malaysia 31 million, and Vietnam 92 million.

“We have to change this. This is the responsibility of all of you. This is the task of Minister of Trade, Directorate Generals, Indonesian Trade Promotion Center (ITPC), and Trade Attaché to address this problem. There is something wrong,” the President said, adding that there are many mistakes in routine tasks which have been done in a monotonous manner without any changes for years.

“We think we have worked but if it is compared with the results, we need to tell the truth. What is ITPC for?” the President said.

The President stated that Indonesia only focuses on managing traditional markets, while other countries have already moved on to new market intervention.

President Jokowi also questioned why Indonesia has never considered Pakistan that has 207 million people, and Bangladesh that has 160 million people.

“They (Pakistan and Bangladesh) are big markets. Although Indonesia’s export value record a surplus, the figure is still small,” President Jokowi added.

Therefore, following the conclusion of the Working Meeting, President Jokowi instructs Minister of Trade to evaluate and fix the mistakes, as well as take necessary measures.

“Do not only conduct working meetings without results in innovation, new actions, ideas, plans so we can compete with other countries,” President Jokowi concluded.

Also accompanying President Jokowi in the meeting were Coordinating Minister for the Economy Darmin Nasution, Minister of Trade Enggartiasto Lukita, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, and Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko.  (GUN/RAH/ES) (RAS/MUR/EP/YM/Naster)