VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

VOINews, Jakarta - Indonesia could catch up with China and India to emerge as a new economic force within five years, Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan has affirmed.

"New economic power lies in China, India, and in my opinion, in the next five years, Indonesia can become a new economic force, as long as we are truly consistent," the minister observed during the "National Coordination Meeting of Finance and Development Supervisory Agency (BPKP) Internal Monitoring" here on Wednesday.

To achieve the target, the role of BPKP in monitoring all ministries, agencies, and regional units is crucial, he said.

"So we all can walk in the right corridor and play fairly, thereby also reducing the possibility of corruption here and there," Pandjaitan informed.

He said he is confident that Indonesia can catch up with China and India, after learning from the developing industrial policy, which is apparent in the protectionist stance adopted by developing countries—something that used to only be carried out by developed countries.

Pandjaitan also highlighted many companies' readiness to mitigate the concentration risk and impacts that could arise from areas experiencing conflicts.

He explained that China and India managed to become new economic forces because the two states increased their defense budget and tapped into their growing economic potential by making foreign affairs policies that could meet domestic needs.

The minister said that Indonesia can benefit from the changes in global supply chains on account of the complex geopolitical situation.

He cited the example of Taiwan, which has a major role in global chip supply and distribution. However, with the ever-increasing tension, the US intends to decrease its dependence on imports and push for more domestic chip production, he said.

The escalating conflict between China and Taiwan has also increased the risk of war between Taiwan and the US versus China, he added.

Given its geographical position, Indonesia can play an important role amid such conditions, the minister said. (Antaranews)