President Jokowi Welcomes Puteri Indonesia Finalists at State Palace

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo welcomes the finalists of Puteri Indonesia 2023 at the State Palace, Jakarta, Monday (05/22). (Photo by: BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/Kris)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Monday (05/23) at the State Palace, Jakarta, welcomed the finalists of this year’s Puteri Indonesia beauty pageant.

On that occasion, the President underscored the important role of younger generation in Indonesia’s demographic bonus.

“The President has delivered several points of note. First, the youth play a significant role in the country’s demographic bonus so it can be converted in the next 13-15 years towards advanced Indonesia,” Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno said.

According to Sandiaga, the President appealed to the finalists to provide contributions since many countries could not escape the middle-income trap because their younger generation lacks breakthroughs and innovations.

“The finalists are also expected to bring Indonesia to become a developed country with gross domestic product per capita of over 25 thousand dollars in 2045,” he said.

In addition, the President also highlighted tourism and creative economy-related matters.

The President urged the finalists to promote Indonesia’s tourist destinations, especially priority tourist destinations such as Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, Lake Toba, Likupang, and Borobudur.

“There are also several destinations that will be developed such as Bangka Belitung, Kepulauan Seribu, Wakatobi, and also Raja Ampat. The younger generation is expected to continuously build awareness about our tourist destinations and creative economy products such as local cuisine, fashion, and crafts,” he added.

In the meantime, Chairperson of the Advisory Board of the Puteri Indonesia Foundation Putri Kus Wisnu Wardani said that her agency will be committed to encouraging Indonesian women, especially the finalists to become superior human resources through scholarships based on their education level and major.

“The top three will receive scholarships from the University of Indonesia to take undergraduate or postgraduate programs. It is indeed the commitment of the Puteri Indonesia Foundation to encourage Indonesian women to become superior human resources to fill the demographic bonus towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” she said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (RIF/MUR)