President Jokowi Receives World Bank Delegation

President Jokowi receives the World Bank delegation at the Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Thursday (07/25). (Source: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo received a visit from the World Bank delegation at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (07/25). The meeting discussed various issues related to Indonesia’s economy and various programs implemented by the Government.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, stated that the World Bank expressed appreciation to Indonesia’s stable economic growth of above 5 percent with an inflation rate of 2.58 percent. Additionally, the World Bank also showed appreciation to the Indonesian Government for the implementation of its programs.

“The programs include poverty reduction and infrastructure programs for agriculture, including irrigation. The World Bank delegation went to Lombok and witnessed farmers’ incomes have increased and irrigation is functioning well, which led to higher farmers’ exchange rate,” said Airlangga in his statement to the media after the meeting.

Furthermore, the World Bank also expressed appreciation for the Government’s efforts in reducing stunting rate through early childhood programs. The President mentioned that stunting rate in Indonesia has declined from 37 percent to 21 percent, and extreme poverty has fallen from 6.2 percent to 0.8 percent.

“Regarding these programs, the President also talked about the village fund program, Rp71 trillion of which is used for various activities in rural areas, including stunting rate reduction,” said Airlangga.

On that occasion, President Jokowi also emphasized the importance of food and green energy resilience for Indonesia’s future. According to him, Indonesia has programs on clean energy, including hydro, solar, geothermal program.

“The World Bank also highlighted the importance of developing infrastructure transmission, electric transmission. And certainly, these are priorities that need to be addressed by the Government,” said Airlangga.

The Head of State also reminded that energy transition needs to consider affordable prices for the public. Therefore, multiple sources of energy with interconnected transmission between islands are expected to make energy prices affordable for the public.

“Of course, various subsidies provided by the Government will be given to those who are entitled,” added Airlangga.

Moreover, President Jokowi also underscored the importance of human resource development and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

At the meeting, the World Bank delegation also mentioned various programs to support electric infrastructure and best practices implemented in other countries like India.

“There are some best practices adopted by India; the country could secure a fund similar to foreign loan, but this fund is backed or supported by the World Bank,” said Airlangga.

Lastly, Airlangga mentioned that President Jokowi pushed for sustainable management policies, including the development of large-scale nurseries in Indonesia, for example in the Nusantara Capital and Bali.

“Therefore, the World Bank considers that programs implemented in Indonesia are massive, large-scale, which are expected to serve as models for other countries outside Indonesia,” concluded Airlangga. (BPMI SETPRES/AIT) (AS/RAS/MMB)