First In History! Indonesia Holds AFMGM Twice In ASEAN Chairship This Year

JAKARTA - The chairmanship of ASEAN 2023 initiated the second ASEAN Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meeting (AFMGM) meeting which was held in Jakarta this week.

Head of the Regional and Bilateral Policy Center of the Ministry of Finance (Kemenkeu) Yogi Rahmayanti said this was the first time ASEAN had held a meeting of the Minister of Finance and the Governor of the Central Bank twice.

According to him, the agenda is Indonesia's initiative in responding to the global challenges that are currently developing.

"This is the first time that AFMGM has been carried out twice and received a positive response from members because there are indeed many challenges that occur," he said during a media briefing, Monday, August 21.

Yogi explained, there are a number of issues that are the focus of discussion. The first is about inflation, especially in developed countries which are still at a high level. Second, the interest rate is increasing.

"And there is also a discussion about China's economic slowdown," he said.

On the same occasion, Bank Indonesia (BI) International Department Director Iss Savitri Hafid revealed that his party encourages ASEAN countries to be able to implement a mix policy scheme.

"We want more ASEAN countries to implement a policy mix or policy mix, especially together with the government," said Iss.

For information, the first AFMGM meeting was held in Bali at the end of March 2023.

The second AFMGM meeting was held in Jakarta on 22-26 August 2023.