President Jokowi: State Budget Must Improve Competitiveness
President Jokowi, accompanied by Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, attends Limited Cabinet Meeting at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (15/7). Photo by: Jay/PR.
The 2020 State Budget Draft must be formulated to improve competitiveness in the face of a rapidly-changing global economy, President Joko Jokowi Widodo has said.
“We have to formulate the 2020 State Budget Draft to adapt to the dynamic global environment to ensure healthy (economy), maintain responsiveness, strengthen competitiveness, and boost economic growth,” the President said in his remarks during a limited cabinet Meeting on Indicative Ceiling for 2020 Budget Year at the Presidential Office, Jakarta, Monday (15/7).
Regarding the 2020 indicative ceiling, the President delivered 5 directives.
First, the 2020 State Budget Draft must make human capital development in education, health, market-oriented and industry-oriented training a priority and provide stimulus to boost exports and investment.
Second, 5% of the Budget must be allocated to improve health services throughout the country, reduce stunting/malnutrition, and ensure safety of pregnant women during childbirth.
“Vaccination must be our focus in human capital development,” the President said.
Third, infrastructure should be connected with production centers, including special economic zones, tourist destinations, small industrial areas, rice production areas, agricultural production areas, plantations, fisheries, as well as micro, small and medium businesses.
Fourth, the 2020 State Budget Draft must be able to reduce poverty. The President stressed that the Family Hope Program (PKH), village funds, staple food card program and working capital for micro business entities must be properly distributed.
Fifth, the Governments spending on employees must all be linked to bureaucratic reforms.
“Do spend the budget as efficiently as possible, reduce expenditures for productive matters and make sure everything is on target,” President Jokowi said. (FID/JAY/ES)
Translated by: Ridwan Ibadurrohman
Edited by: Ersan Pamungkas
