Jokowi Says There Are 28 Countries Queuing To Become IMF Patients

President Joko Widodo (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) said dozens of countries were lining up to become International Monetary Fund (IMF) patients.

Jokowi said the global economy is not doing well.

However, the IMF predicts that the Indonesian economy will remain bright in the midst of the gloom of the world economy.

Jokowi said this was known from IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva. Where currently 16 countries have become IMF patients, meanwhile 28 countries are queuing up to get funding.

"This is not what we are talking about, you know, the IMF's Crystallina Managing Director. The bright spot in the midst of the gloom of the world economy, it's good that many people say that. So that trust, global trust in us will get better", said Jokowi when inaugurating the opening 37th Trade Expo Indonesia, at ICE BSD, Tangerang, Wednesday, October 19.

In the midst of the gloom of the world economy, Jokowi said, Indonesia should be grateful. This is because the Indonesian economy in the second quarter still grew by 5.44 percent.

Jokowi is also confident that economic growth can grow above 5 percent in the third quarter of this year.

"We must be grateful because our economic growth is still at 5.44 percent. And I still believe in this third quarter we are still growing above 5, or 5.4", he said.

Jokowi's belief that Indonesia's economic growth is on the right track stems from several things.

First, the trade balance remains in surplus, credit grew 10.7 percent, and the consumer confidence index was still at 124.7 percent.

Even so, said Jokowi, all must be vigilant and careful. Because, according to him, the storm this time is difficult to calculate and predict where it will spread, and how it will affect Indonesia.

"Everything is still in good shape. But again, in very, very, very difficult conditions like this hard work is the key", he said.

Under current conditions, according to Jokowi, all parties must work in detail. It cannot only work from the macro, micro, or both sectors.

"We can't do it anymore, I'm repeating myself, I'm telling you, we can't just work on the macro anymore, no. The microwork is still not enough. The work now has to be looked at in more detail one by one and pursued, completed. That's the work that is being done by the current government", he said.