Assertive! Jokowi Wants The Economic Structure To Be Shifted From Consumption To Be More Productive

Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Photo: Antara)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) realizes that the Indonesian economy has been highly dependent on household consumption. Therefore, he wants that structure to be changed in the future to a more productive direction. One of them is to encourage downstreaming.

"Our economic structure, which so far has contributed more than 55 percent of household consumption, must continue to shift to become more productive by encouraging downstreaming, investment and exports," he said at the 2021 MPR annual session, Monday, August 16.

Jokowi said that currently the government's focus is on creating as many quality new jobs as possible. This includes accelerating the implementation of the Job Creation Act.

In fact, Jokowi continued, Indonesia has also launched an Online Single Submission (OSS) which greatly facilitates all levels and types of business, especially for low-risk types of businesses.

"The business of licensing, administering incentives and taxes can be done much faster, more transparently, and more easily," he explained. According to Jokowi, this opportunity must also be utilized properly by micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to develop their businesses.

In addition, Jokowi acknowledged that the COVID-19 pandemic had indeed hampered the pace of economic growth. Even so, Jokowi does not want this to hamper the structural reform process of the Indonesian economy.

"More importantly and as a sustainable economic solution, the government ensures that people can get decent jobs and boost the national economy," he said.