Deputy Minister Of Finance Thomas Optimistic Of Indonesia's Economic Growth Next Year 5.2 Percent

SERANG - Deputy Minister of Finance II Thomas Djiwandono is optimistic that Indonesia's economic growth next year of 5.2 percent can be achieved and even exceed the target set in the 2025 State Revenue and Expenditure Budget (APBN).

However, Thomas said that economic growth next year will still depend on the performance of the elected President Prabowo Subianto's cabinet.

"The target in the 2025 State Budget is 5.2 percent economic growth. I think to see if new sources of economic growth can be increased, let us wait until the cabinet is formed and let them work," Thomas said in the media gathering of the Ministry of Finance 2024, Wednesday, September 25.

Even so, Thomas said that President-elect Prabowo was optimistic that he could get a new source of economic growth so that the economic growth target of 8 percent in his leadership period could be achieved.

According to Thomas, the 8 percent economic growth target is not easy to achieve next year, although it is still wary of the potential for global fragmentation.

"Pak Prabowo is clearly optimistic, yes. Almost all of his explanations regarding the economy actually agree that we have the potential to 8 percent. So this optimism clearly embeds in his thinking but his optimism is based on an understanding that our global state and global fragmentation must remain vigilant," he explained.

Thomas said that to achieve this economic growth, the Prabowo government will also encourage new sectors that can encourage economic growth such as strengthening food security, energy transition, digitization and others.

In addition, Thomas said that President-elect Prabowo also has superior long-term programs that have an impact on economic growth such as free nutritious eating programs that become long-term investments in human resources (HR).

Even so, Thomas said, President-elect Prabowo also maintains the state budget deficit at a safe level.

"The 2025 state budget really sees that, the food is maintained in a certain deficit. If we are too optimistic that it can also endanger the resilience. So there are both optimism, yes, but also the understanding that we must be vigilant, that is where the 2025 state budget shows this principle," he concluded.