President Jokowi Reminds Global Economic Challenges after Covid-19 Outbreak

Presidential Jokowi gives directives at the 2020 Trade Ministry’s Working Meeting, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/3). (Photo by: Ibrahim/PR)

Global economy faces a more serious challenge since trade war shows no signs of abating and the outbreak of coronavirus (Covid-19) is also affecting the economy, according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“Trade war has not been resolved, yet corona virus outbreak worsens the global economy and politics,” President Jokowi said in his directives at the 2020 Working Meeting of the Ministry of Trade, at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/3).

The condition, he added, will weaken Indonesia’s economic activities and performances on numerous sectors such as tourism, trade, and investment.

“I hope we can address those challenges and pressure by focusing on work, keeping the optimism, and seizing opportunities to seek solutions to our problems,” he said adding that business sector must make innovation and breakthrough in this peculiar situation to maintain the smoothness of macro economy, export, and import.

The President went on to say that the situation has disrupted several economic sectors including supply, demand, and production. Thus, related sides must remain vigilant, must not assume this disruption is normal, and make a quick response.

Regarding the impact of coronavirus to the economy, President Jokowi asserted that China’s manufacturing activity slumped due to the outbreak of the virus. Considering most of raw material for Indonesia’s industry was supplied from China, the President urged national manufacturing industry to increase the production capacity to substitute the imported raw materials from China. (TGH/EN)

Translated by : Rany Anjany
Reviewed by : Lulu Wuliarti