President Jokowi Tells KADIN Members to Stay Optimisitic Amid Global Uncertainty

President Jokowi Tuesday (08/23) briefs members of provincial chambers of commerce throughout Indonesia at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah area, East Jakarta.

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (08/23) called on members of provincial chambers of commerce (KADIN) to stay optimistic amid the current global crisis and uncertainties.

According to the President, despite several crises such as health crisis, food crisis, energy crisis, and financial crisis, Indonesia’s economy can still grow and inflation can be maintained.

“We should be grateful that we can control inflation at 4.9 (percent) and increase economic growth from 5.01 percent in Q1 to 5.44 percent in Q2 amid countries that are now facing decline or crash in economic growth,” President Jokowi told the Indonesian KADIN members at Taman Mini Indonesia Indah (TMII), East Jakarta.

The President also stated that he continues to oversee several indicators of economic growth, adding that electricity consumption grew by 7.3 percent, indicating progress of the country’s industrial sector.

“The sector is growing, meaning factories are starting to expand. We should be grateful for this,” he added.

In addition, bank loan sector, which has experienced a decline during the pandemic, also began to increase reaching 10.6 percent, he added.

The President added that the increase in loan will also trigger economic growth and third-party fund also grew 9.13 percent while non-performing loans were still at 2.86 percent.

“Still, I think it’s still very good. This is what we must stay optimistic. Of course, we must be vigilant and careful of the uncertain situations in the global economy,” the President stated.

On the occasion, the President also underscored the importance of good communication between business sector and the Government in efforts to improve the welfare of the people.

“We must continue building communication between the Government and KADIN, the Government and the business sector, so that this can continue. If there are something that bothers you, you can immediately communicate them to the chairperson, so that he can report it to the Government. This is to prevent matters to interfere our course in improving the welfare of the Indonesian people,” he remarked. (TGH/UN) (FI/EP)