JAKARTA – Indonesia has recorded better economic growth, far above the global average, and has been able to maintain it amid global uncertainty, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva has said.
She made the statement during a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Hiroshima, Japan, on Saturday, according to a press release issued by the Press Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat.
Considering Indonesia’s achievement, Georgieva said that the IMF expects the nation to assist other developing countries, especially in poverty alleviation programs.
Indonesia has an important role in addressing several issues in the midst of the current challenging global situation since the country is considered capable of establishing relationships and communication with all parties, she added.
Indonesia is able to approach all countries and all parties. Hence, in the midst of challenging global situations nowadays, more roles like those carried out by Indonesia are needed, Georgieva said.
Furthermore, she expressed her appreciation for Indonesia’s successful holding of the G20 presidency in November 2022 as well as the 42nd ASEAN Summit in May 2023.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian President said that he welcomed the launch of the IMF Global Policy Agenda and the establishment of a financial risk early warning system, which he described as important.
Widodo also stated at the meeting that Indonesia’s economy is expected to grow 5.1 percent in 2023 and 5.0 percent in 2024.
Several Indonesian ministers, namely Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, Airlangga Hartarto, and Foreign Affairs Minister Retno Marsudialso joined the meeting.
Indonesia recorded economic growth of 5.03 percent year-on-year (yoy) in the first quarter of 2023, according to data provided by Statistics Indonesia (BPS).
The implementation of national- and international-scale events in Indonesia had a significant impact on economic growth during the period, the BPS noted.