VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

In 2018, Indonesia and India were among the G20 countries with high economic growth, with 5.8 percent and 5.02 percent respectively. However, these achievements are still not enough because the economic growth of the two countries should have been faster as both countries have big populations. This was conveyed by Jimmy M Rifai Gani, an advisor to the Indonesian Minister of Villages, Development of Disadvantaged Regions, and Transmigration in his remarks representing the Minister at the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Alumni Day celebration in Jakarta, Saturday (5/10). Jimmy added cooperation between Indonesia and India needs to be improved because the population of the two countries is still below the poverty line.

"And India achieving 5.8%, Indonesia achieving 5.02%. But of course, we are not happy with this. Because we know that Indonesia and India need to grow even faster as we have big populations. India is number 2. Indonesia is number 4 of the most populated countries in the world and we still have a lot of people who are still in the disadvantaged and living under poverty. I believe that this is very much needed cooperation. And with the sending-off of our people to India, I believe that it will accelerate the knowledge transfer between the two nations," said Jimmi.

Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation-ITEC is a scholarship program organized by the Indian government for almost 7 decades. Under ITEC, the Indian government offers special or partially funded scholarships. (VOI / AHM)