Kadin: National Economic Growth Leads Positively

ILUSTRASI/VOI

JAKARTA - Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for The Development of National Entrepreneurs, Arsjad Rasjid stated that national economic growth is on the right track and is heading towards positive growth.

"Gross domestic product (GDP) growth in the first quarter of 2021, which is minus 0.74 percent on an annual basis (year on year/yoy), should be appreciated because it was achieved in the midst of the pandemic that still hit Indonesia," Arsjad was quoted as saying by Antara, Wednesday, May 12.

According to him, the contraction in the first quarter of 2021 that is getting smaller shows signs of economic recovery is getting real and is believed to be heading in a positive direction. Based on data from the Central Bureau of Statistics (BPS), in the first quarter of 2021, national GDP still contracted 0.74 percent on an annual basis, improving compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 which was minus 2.19 percent and lower than the same period last year of 2.9 percent.

Other positive factors were a number of businesses experiencing positive growth, namely information and communication by 8.72 percent, water procurement, waste management, waste and recycling by 5.49 percent, and health services and social activities by 3.64 percent.

Based on BPS data, Arsjad is optimistic that in the second quarter of 2021, economic growth will be more expansive, with initial estimates ranging from 5.0-7.0 percent (yoy), in line with the massive implementation of COVID-19 vaccination, both conducted by the government and kadin.

"Kadin in May 2021 is scheduled to start a mutual vaccination program for workers and their families," said the candidate for Chairman of kadin 2021-2026.

Based on the Regulation of the Minister of Health (Permenkes) Number 10 of 2021 concerning the Implementation of Vaccination in the Framework of Covid-19 Pandemic Prevention, gotong royong vaccine is distinguished from the vaccine used in government programs.

The vaccine that Kadin will use in the gotong royong vaccination program, namely the Sinopharm vaccine from China and the Moderna vaccine from the United States. Previously, on April 30, 2021 a total of 482,400 vaccines in finished form (vials) from Sinopharm had come in Indonesia through Soekarno-Hatta Airport.

"Optimism of economic growth is supported by gotong royong vaccination program as a game changer. Vaccination is the main factor to stimulate economic and social activity while implementing strict health protocols," arsjad said.