We Must Focus on Core Economy, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi delivers remarks in a Plenary Cabinet Meeting on Friday (9/9), at the State Palace, Jakarta

After working visit to China and Laos, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo accompanied by Vice President Jusuf Kalla on Friday (9/9) led a Plenary Cabinet Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta.

In his remarks, President Jokowi said that during the meeting with Heads of States/Heads of Governments in the G-20 Summit in Hangzhou China and in ASEAN Summit in Laos, the President noticed that the global competition is very ‘fierce’.

“Competition among the countries is very fierce and it will become harder, particularly on the economy, be it the investment, cash inflow, capital inflow,” the President said.

Therefore, the President said that Indonesia must decide on the sector to be focused for its core economy and core business.

President Jokowi believes the focus can entable the Government to create national positioning, differentiation, and brand. “Thus, we can solve the problems easier without catch up or compete with other countries,” the President said.

In that meeting, Vice President Jusuf Kalla also talked about the 71 years of Indonesian economy journey.

“We will see things that need to be improved and also things that we must be alert of,” the President concluded.

Aside from discussing the result of President Jokowi’s working visit to China and Laos, the Plenary Cabinet Meeting also discussed the evaluation of economic policies.

Also attending the Meeting were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Wiranto, Coordinating Minister for Human Development and Culture Puan Maharani, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs Luhut B. Pandjaitan, Minister of State Secretary Pratikno, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung Wibowo, all Working Cabinet Ministers, Indonesian National Defense Forces (TNI) Commander Gen. Gatot Nurmantyo, Indonesia National Police (Polri) Chief Gen. Tito Karnavian, and Head of National Intelligence Agency (BIN) Sutiyoso.(RMI/AGG/ES) (RAS/EP/YM/Naster)