Inaugurated As Trade Minister, Muhammad Lutfi Promises Indonesian Products Can Compete In International Markets

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) carried out an overhaul of the Advanced Indonesia Cabinet. Former Indonesian Ambassador to the United States Muhammad Lutfi was officially appointed as Minister of Trade to replace Agus Suparmanto. The inauguration was held at the Presidential Palace, Central Jakarta, Wednesday, December 23.

After the inauguration, in the presence of Jokowi and other ministers, Lutfi promised to bring Indonesian products to compete in the international market.

"I want to ensure that Indonesian goods have the opportunity to compete well in the world era and ensure that Indonesian goods can be exported and are competitive in the world market," he said, at the Presidential Palace, Wednesday, December 23.

The former Minister of Trade in the Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono era said that bringing Indonesian products to the global market was part of efforts to improve the economy.

Moreover, he said, the current world economic situation is the weakest in all aspects, including health, purchasing power, unemployment and other aspects. Of course, this condition also has an impact on the national economy.

"This is part of the improvement of the national economy and hopes to be a new leverage for the growth of healthy economic growth," he explained.

Not only that, said Lutfi, he also promised to make the flow of goods in the country run well.

"This is part of the trust in the public to immediately restore purchasing power. And these are the main agendas that I will carry out in this short time," he said.

In addition, Lutfi told me that before being appointed as Minister of Trade, he had almost left for the United States again last week from Indonesia. However, he said, his phone rang, he was asked to postpone his departure because he was chosen to be the Trade Minister.

Last week, Lutfi was actually in Indonesia to carry out his duties. He also met President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and said goodbye to return to the United States.

"As the Indonesian ambassador to the US, I am carrying out my duties to return to Jakarta and have reported to the president. On Thursday and I had said goodbye to postpone my departure until Friday. I was informed that the president will give confidence to lead the Ministry of Trade. On Tuesday he was summoned to the Palace. , "he said.

Previously, Muhammad Lutfi admitted that he was very honored after being given the opportunity by President Jokowi to lead the trade ministry. He promised to work optimally, especially in improving the national economy in the future.

"I promise to work as hard as possible, as smart as possible, as much as possible to ensure that Indonesia's economy will be better in the future," he said at the State Palace in Jakarta, Tuesday, December 22.

Muhammad Lutfi was previously assigned to serve as Indonesian Ambassador to the United States under Jokowi-Ma'ruf Amin's leadership.

The man who was born in Jakarta, August 16, 1969, served as Minister of Trade during the reign of Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono for several months, for a term of office from 14 February to 20 October 2014.

Then, he also served as Indonesian Ambassador to Japan and the Micronesian Federation for the 2010-2013 term.