Three Government Priority Projects In 2021

Minister of Finance Srimulyani Indrawati (Photo: VOI)

JAKARTA - The government will focus on using the budget starting next year for three priority posts including food security projects, industrial estate development, and information and communication technology (ICT).

"We will support these priorities for additional spending, namely first in terms of food security, secondly industrial estate development which is supported by infrastructure, thirdly ICT so that connectivity in Indonesia from the digital technology side can be improved and evenly distributed throughout Indonesia," said Finance Minister Sri Mulyani. after Ratas via a video conference on the 2021 State Budget Posture Draft was reported by Antara, Bogor Presidential Palace, Tuesday, July 28.

He said, at the cabinet meeting, President Jokowi had decided that he would widen the deficit to 5.2 percent of GDP.

So the plan, he said, was higher than the initial design agreed upon and there was a record from the DPR or higher than 4.7 percent.

"With a deficit of 5.2 percent of GDP in 2021, we will have a spending reserve of Rp. 179 trillion, which the President will set priorities for spending to truly support the national economic recovery next year," said Sri Mulyani.

In addition, the President also emphasized the education and health sector, especially for handling post-2020 COVID-19 and support for vaccine costs.

"The President will ask that tomorrow we will carry out more ratas to use the additional budget from this deficit so that he is truly productive and supported by a good spending plan," he said.

The Minister of Finance explained that the President had requested that this expenditure could actually increase productivity and reduce poverty and unemployment and lead to the highest economic impact or benefit.

"That's what the President stressed. We, with Bappenas, have received many additional expenditure suggestions from all ministries / agencies. And the President asked us to focus on these spending supported by an additional deficit so that it can actually be done to restore the economy and create job opportunities, as well as reduce poverty more quickly, "he said.