JAKARTA - Indonesian President Joko Widodo reminded all associations in the economic and business fields not to be too euphoric in responding to the improvement of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
The President made this statement when receiving representatives from the heads of associations in the economic and business fields at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday, September 8.
"I'm just telling this story to give optimism to ladies and gentlemen that our position is like this, but also don't be happy just yet, don't be euphoric. Work, yes, but don't be too euphoric, then take off this (mask)," said The President, as witnessed through a video clip on the Presidential Secretariat's YouTube, reported by Antara.
On the occasion, chairmen of associations in the economic and business fields were present, including the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), the Indonesian Shopping Center Management Association (APPBI), and the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo).
The representatives of the economic and business associations were received by the President, who on the occasion was accompanied by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto.
Coordinating Minister Airlangga in his statement after the meeting said that President Jokowi asked economic and business actors in the country to help the government remind the public that the COVID-19 pandemic was not over.
"The COVID pandemic is not over yet, and we ask all people to stay vigilant, and we ask company leaders, CEOs, associations, and Kadin to also remind them," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.
According to Airlangga, President Jokowi reminded that the economic growth of a country currently depends on the handling of the country's COVID-19. Even though the handling of COVID-19 in Indonesia has improved, economic and business actors in the country must not be careless and keep the spread of COVID-19. 19 remains under control.
"This must be maintained continuously because economic growth is inversely proportional to the handling of COVID. So, if the COVID-19 is high, the economy will be low. On the other hand, if the COVID-19 is low, the economy will stretch," he said.
During the meeting, entrepreneurs conveyed a number of problems faced in economic and business activities. Starting from the relaxation of bank credit restructuring, increasing logistics costs, to fiscal assistance for entrepreneurs engaged in the retail sector.
Airlangga said that the government would review related regulations so that they become more flexible and hoped that entrepreneurs would continue to be enthusiastic about increasing their business activities so that national economic growth could also increase.
"We encourage these entrepreneurs to continue to increase their economic activities so that we can reduce the unemployment rate," said Airlangga.
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