VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian President Joko Widodo appreciated the momentum of economic growth with its better trend. From 5.06 percent in the third quarter of 2017, the economy grew to 5.19 percent in the fourth quarter of 2017. President Joko Widodo wants the trend of economic growth continue to increase in 2018. President Joko Widodo at the Plenary Cabinet Session, at the State Palace Jakarta, on Monday (12/2) said that the government sees the step of Indonesian exports, especially coal comodity. Similarly, household consumption is also expected to improve, in line with the implementation of Cash Advance programs in some areas.

President Joko Widodo also reminded that investment and exports are the key to drive Indonesian economy. Therefore, the President requested that Indonesia continue to improve the business climate and to invest from the central to the regional level.

President Joko Widodo moreover said, Indonesia is competing with other countries that are also taking similar steps like what Indonesia do. Indonesia should not be careless if it does not want to be left behind from other countries, which offers better business climate. In addition to investment, President Joko Widodo also reminded that the country’s export contributed 20.37 percent of the Gross Domestic Product GDP. This should be improved by many breakthrough steps, beginning from accelerating the resolution of barriers faced by Indonesian exporters, and also to start involving businessmen and state-owned enterprises to work non-traditional export markets .

The President has ordered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to hold non-traditional exhibitions abroad starting next year. The events should be started early next year in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Africa with high number of population and high economic growth. The President called ambassadors, Consulate Generals, and the Trade Attaches to strengthen economic diplomacy, strengthen economic intelligence to spearhead their promotion, investment space, and must be observant to see export opportunities.

Meanwhile, Indonesian Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Darmin Nasution, stated that Indonesia's economic growth target should be realized. When the world economy is starting to rise, Indonesia should be able to take advantage of the situation. Darmin Nasution said, if Indonesia only relies on domestic economic factors, then the economic growth of Indonesia only reached 5 percent. Therefore, Indonesia should take advantage of world economic growth to contribute its economic growth.

Minister Darmin Nasution also stressed the importance of support for investment, namely business climate and improvements of licensing. He said, the Ministry of Economy continues to resolve issues related to the investments.