Reveals The Results Of Jokowi's Meeting With The IMF's Manging Director, Coordinating Minister Airlangga: The President Says The Indonesian Economy Is In Good Condition

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo received a visit from the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva at the Bogor Palace, Sunday, July 17. The President was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto and Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani.

During the meeting, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga said that President Jokowi had conveyed a number of things to IMF representatives. Among other things, the government's good record related to Indonesia's economic conditions, handling the Covid-19 pandemic, and Indonesia's G20 presidency.

"The President said that Indonesia's economy is relatively good and where inflation is around 4.2 percent, economic growth is 5.01 percent, then also in the economic situation compared to other countries, we have a GDP ratio of 42 percent, some countries reach 100 percent," he said. Airlangga was quoted from the Presidential Secretariat, Sunday, July 17.

The General Chairperson of the Golkar Party added that the President also said that the state budget deficit was still around four percent and Indonesia's trade balance for 26 months was in surplus. Airlangga said Indonesia's economic situation is relatively good compared to other countries.

"Some countries are entering a recession, but Indonesia can see that the potential for a recession compared to other countries is relatively very small, which is around three percent," said Airlangga.

Airlangga added that during the meeting, the government hoped that the IMF could continue to support Indonesia's leadership in this year's G20 Presidency.

The Indonesian government hopes that the positive narrative will continue to be carried out by emerging countries and the IMF. This is because the government is worried that rising inflation in various countries and interest rates will enter the new regime.

"That is the increase in global interest rates and of course it will greatly affect the investment that is needed by Indonesia," said Airlangga.

Airlangga, who is also the Chair of the Covid-19 Handling Committee and National Economic Recovery (KPCPEN), admitted that regarding the handling of Covid-19, President Jokowi said that vaccination in Indonesia was already high, namely for the first dose of more than 90 percent and the second dose of more than 80 percent. Meanwhile, booster doses of vaccines are being boosted.

On the other hand, Airlangga said, IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva also expressed hope that Indonesia could play a large role through the G20 Presidency. Especially for the handling of the conflict in Ukraine. Because politically the G20 is very crucial.

"Especially for the handling of conflicts in Ukraine and the world, we hope a lot from Indonesia, especially to Mr. President Jokowi so that Indonesia can provide solutions ahead of the G20 later," said Airlangga.