President Jokowi Tells Business People to Stay Vigilant Amid Improving COVID-19 Situation

President Jokowi receives representatives of associations in economic and business sectors, Wednesday (8/9), at the State Palace. (Photo by: Presidential Secretariat/ Laily Rachev)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Wednesday (8/9) called on entrepreneurs and business people to remain vigilant although the latest development of COVID-19 handling in Indonesia has shown an improvement.

“To boost your optimism, I would like to tell you about our (improving) position. However, you must not get carried away. Keep up the good work and do not get carried away,” President Jokowi said during a meeting with representatives of associations in economic and business sectors at the State Palace, Wednesday (8/9).

In the meantime, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that President Jokowi continues to encourage economic agents and business people to support the Government in reminding the public that the COVID-19 pandemic is not over yet.

According to him, President Jokowi also stressed that economic development of a country depends on the country’s handling of COVID-19.

Even though COVID-19 handling in Indonesia has shown an improvement, the President said, business people must not let their guard down at helping to keep spread of the virus under control.

“We must maintain the momentum since there is an inverse relationship between economic growth and COVID-19 handling. If the number of COVID-19 cases increases, the economy will contract. On the other hand, if COVID-19 cases declines, the economy will rebound,” he explained.

Also in the meeting, Airlangga added, representatives of business people told the President regarding issues in economic and business sectors, including restructuring of banking credit relaxation, increase in logistics costs, and fiscal aid granted for retail industry.

Airlangga also underscored that the Government will further study regulations on businesses to make it more flexible to help the businesses and eventually boost national economic growth.

“We also encourage them to increase their economic activities that can contribute at lowering unemployment rate,” he added. (Presidential Secretariat/UN)(RAS/EP)