Coordinating Minister Airlangga Expressed The Government's Strategy To Achieve 8 Percent Economic Growth

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto said that the government is targeting economic growth above 5 percent, with the hope that in the medium term it can reach up to 8 percent.

"The government targets higher growth than 5 percent, and in the medium term it can reach 8 percent," he said at the event 'Navigating Indonesian Economy Amid Global Shifts', Tuesday, October 7.

To achieve this target, he said the Government would focus on massive investment in the infrastructure sector, especially the construction of toll roads, ports, airports, as well as digital connectivity such as data center development and artificial intelligence-based data centers (AI data centers).

Airlangga said that until now, data center construction has taken place in Batam, and almost all major global technology companies have started investing there.

He added that another strategic step is the development of renewable energy, one of which is through the use of solar cells.

"The president targets solar cells for each village or in urban areas, because one hectare can reach one megawatt," he said.

As a first step, Airlangga said the Government would start with a pilot project which would later be expanded gradually.

"Of course, the target for Indonesia's net zero emissions is targeted at 2060, the President (Prabowo) asks to be advanced for a minimum of 10 years or if possible 20 years," he explained.

In addition, the Government will also continue the downstream program and accelerate the digitization of MSMEs, including in terms of payment systems and training for small business actors.

On the other hand, Airlangga said that the Government also maintains a careful fiscal policy, by keeping the budget deficit below 3 percent and the debt ratio under control, which is below a safe limit of 40 percent of GDP.