President Jokowi Introduces Measures to Recover Economy in IMT-GT Summit
President Jokowi engages in conversation with Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto at the 13th IMT-GT Summit, held via videoconference on Thursday (28/10). (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/ Rusman)
President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, during the 13th Indonesia – Malaysia – Thailand Growth Triangle (IMT-GT) Summit, underscored the importance of including measures to recover the economy in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
First, the President told that speeding up both hard and soft infrastructure development is important. On that regard, he confirmed Indonesia’s commitment in ensuring connectivity in Sumatra island.
“According to the first blueprint, Indonesia has completed the construction of seven toll roads, the development of Kuala Tanjung port, and LRT in Palembang,” he said in his speech at the 13th IMT-GT Summit, held via videoconference on Thursday (28/10).
Second, the President also stressed on the importance of strengthening food and energy security through identification and development of value-added agricultural products. The development of digital agriculture is considered important to increase productivity and encourage participation of the younger generation.
“Affordable technology and investment play important role in the transformation of new and renewable technology. Therefore, partnership is crucial,” he firmly said.
Third, the Head of State highlighted the need for acceleration of digital economy transformation, including for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs). He added that the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us that digital economy is apparently important to do business.
“We must create more digitalpreneurs and ensure that the newly-established IMT-GT E-Commerce Platform to work optimally and is user friendly for the MSMEs to join digital market,” he added.
On that occasion, the President also announced Indonesia’s plan to hold the ASEAN Creative Economic Business Forum in Bali next month as an effort to strengthen the roles of MSMEs and creative industry. He also confirmed the Government’s support for the preparation of IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint 2022-2026.
“The blueprint will serve as our guideline on targets and indicators to be achieved to strengthen our mutual cooperation for the next five years,” he stated.
For the record, this year marks the last year of the IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint 2017-2021. During the period, the pandemic has been a great challenge and has affected the subregional Gross Domestic Product. However, the spread of COVID-19 is now under control and the economy is started to rebound. Therefore, the related parties must strengthen their commitment in the IMT-GT Implementation Blueprint 2022-2026 and in economic recovery.
“Indonesia has also made contribution through development of physical connectivity in the subregion which valued US$17.9 billion, and some other projects such as Bengkulu Digital and Tourism Village, Aceh Investment Sport, and Batam Green City Initiative,” he remarked. (PRESIDENTIAL SECRETARIAT) (RAS/MMB)
