VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Managing Director of International Monetary Fund –IMF, Christine Lagarde arrived in Indonesia on February 26, 2018. Christine who the first woman is holding the highest position at the IMF became key speaker at the meeting held by Bank Indonesia and IMF on February 27, 2018. Twitter account @IMF informs that the focus of the event was the analysis of global trends, and how countries adapt to global change, while still prospering.

Another agenda was to discuss the latest economic developments and prospects of Indonesia, as well as the World Bank's Annual Meeting in Nusa Dua, Bali in October 2018. These two issues were central to her meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at the State Palace.

Interestingly, Cristine Lagarde was also invited by President Joko Widodo to Blusukan (to check on the spot) to two places, namely Pertamina Central Hospital and Tanah Abang Wholesale Center. At Pertamina Central Hospital, Chistine Lagarde witnessed services for Healthy Card Indonesia participants (KIS) as well as social security system for health. In particular, Christine expressed that she impressed with the free health service for the more than 90 million people, and offered a salute to President Joko Widodo.

The second place that became her blusukan destination is Tanah Abang Wholesale Center. In the place, there are approximately 19,000 stalls and it is the largest in Southeast Asia. Christine Lagarde directly witnessed the enthusiasm, energy, and service of small and medium-sized micro businesses. She views that all of this shows the dynamism of Indonesian society and economy.

By looking directly at health services and micro, small and medium enterprises in Jakarta, it is expected that many things can be promoted by the IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde about Indonesia to the world. These two things could be material in the implementation of the annual meetings of the World Bank and IMF next October.

Indeed, Indonesia is carrying out a campaign called ‘Voyage to Indonesia 2018’, as a series of activities ahead of the upcoming IMF annual meeting. It is expected that the visit of the IMF Managing Director will have a positive impact to attract investors to invest in the health sector.

Christine Lagarde herself bought a Koko shirt at Tanah Abang. Of course, this will also be a direct promotion of Small and Medium Enterprises Indonesia. It’s hoped that not only to attract thousands of participants of IMF annual meetings to participate in buying UMKM products, but also to open the export gate of Indonesian Small and Medium Enterprises’ products.