Capping three days of intensive government brain-storming to seek ways to move the country in the right direction during his second term, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on Wednesday vowed to act on the game plan.
“What we have formulated together will be an instrument of governance and development,” said Yudhoyono, who had thrown himself actively into working group discussions. “Now, let us implement it.”
Speaking at the closure of the retreat at Tampaksiring Palace in Bali, Yudhoyono did not reveal any significant details of policy discussed over the three days, but he reiterated that he was charging his top economic minister, Hatta Rajasa, with implementing 10 economic directives that he had issued on the opening day. Those targets were broad, including calls for stronger economic growth and per-capita income and lower poverty and unemployment.
Attended by cabinet ministers, governors and members of the private sector, the resort island meeting was held to formulate the immediate strategic direction of the country in economic development and its impact on the people’s welfare.
Stressing that working on achieving these goals might lead to friction, Yudhoyono outlined eight avenues of improvement.
He urged healthy discussion between government, regional authorities and business.
He called on regional governments to work to realize national benchmarks on the local level. “If [national] economic growth is
6 percent, try to at least meet that number,” he said. “If it’s higher, that’s even better.”
Any improvement, he said, was for the people, so the formulas should meet public demands.
The five-year plan should also embrace the concept of “growth with equity,” he said.
On a policy level, Yudhoyono said the country should increase its reliance on self-financing, and cut back on foreign debt. To do this, he said, higher state revenues, including from taxes, should be achieved.
He added a caution that improving Indonesia did not solely depend on the government. “I am placing attention on both domestic and foreign investment,” he said, stressing the importance of non-government financing of the country’s development.
Yudhoyono ended his address on a bracing note: “I am aware that there are hindrances here and there. We are facing problems and challenges … but let’s remain optimistic. The opportunity is right in front of our eyes.”
“What we have formulated together will be an instrument of governance and development,” said Yudhoyono, who had thrown himself actively into working group discussions. “Now, let us implement it.”
Speaking at the closure of the retreat at Tampaksiring Palace in Bali, Yudhoyono did not reveal any significant details of policy discussed over the three days, but he reiterated that he was charging his top economic minister, Hatta Rajasa, with implementing 10 economic directives that he had issued on the opening day. Those targets were broad, including calls for stronger economic growth and per-capita income and lower poverty and unemployment.
Attended by cabinet ministers, governors and members of the private sector, the resort island meeting was held to formulate the immediate strategic direction of the country in economic development and its impact on the people’s welfare.
Stressing that working on achieving these goals might lead to friction, Yudhoyono outlined eight avenues of improvement.
He urged healthy discussion between government, regional authorities and business.
He called on regional governments to work to realize national benchmarks on the local level. “If [national] economic growth is
6 percent, try to at least meet that number,” he said. “If it’s higher, that’s even better.”
Any improvement, he said, was for the people, so the formulas should meet public demands.
The five-year plan should also embrace the concept of “growth with equity,” he said.
On a policy level, Yudhoyono said the country should increase its reliance on self-financing, and cut back on foreign debt. To do this, he said, higher state revenues, including from taxes, should be achieved.
He added a caution that improving Indonesia did not solely depend on the government. “I am placing attention on both domestic and foreign investment,” he said, stressing the importance of non-government financing of the country’s development.
Yudhoyono ended his address on a bracing note: “I am aware that there are hindrances here and there. We are facing problems and challenges … but let’s remain optimistic. The opportunity is right in front of our eyes.”
