Gov't policies
still consistent with initial
orientation of
economic
growth, equality: President
Antara , Jakarta
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono
says that all government policies
are consistent with the government's
initial orientation on economic
growth, unemployment reduction and
poverty reduction.
"Since the end of 2004 we have
formulated our development effort
for prosperity and oriented it
toward growth as well as equality,"
said the President during a plenary
cabinet meeting at the State
Secretariat here Tuesday. The
meeting was also attended by the
heads of non-departmental state
institutions.
Yudhoyono said the government made
economic growth, the handling of
unemployment and poverty reduction
its priorities at its inception.
"Our policies are still consistent
with these priorities. For example,
we are still conducting the fiscal
policy in the same direction and
there are some components of our
spending allocated to stimulate
growth," the President said.
Yudhoyono said the allocation for
working capital and growth
stimulation capital in the state
budget continually increased every
year.
In 2005, the government allocated Rp
32.9 trillion (US$3.6 billion) for
working capital, and it has
increased by Rp 89.1 trillion in
2008 and is expected to reach Rp 99
trillion next year.
"This is evidence of government
consistency in stimulating economic
growth," the President.
In an attempt to reduce
unemployment, Yudhoyono said, the
government had disbursed People's
Business Credit (KUR).
"About Rp 8 trillion of credit has
been disbursed and we expect that it
will be reach about Rp 14 trillion.
The disbursement of the fund is
expected to create more job
opportunities."
President Yudhoyono said that in its
poverty reduction program, the
government had also conducted some
programs to increase people's
standard of living.
"Budget allocation for poverty
reduction program is increased every
year. In 2004, there was Rp 19
trillion, and it is planned to reach
Rp 70 trillion in 2009. The funds
allocated this year have reached Rp
58 trillions," Yudhoyono said.
President Yudhoyono said the amount
of funds allocated has shown that
the government is consistent with
its initial commitment to economic
growth, unemployment and poverty
reductions.
In the meeting, which was also
attend by Vice President Jusuf Kalla,
the President also warned all
minister and state high officials
that with the amount of funds being
disbursed, there would be no excuse
for the unemployment and poverty
reduction programs not to reach
their goals.
The plenary cabinet meeting was held
to discuss security and political
issues and to hear explanations from
the coordinating minister for
political, legal and security
affairs and the home affairs
minister about the process of the
legislative election and the
campaigns.
At the meeting, explanations were
also given by the acting
coordinating minister for economic
affairs about the 2009 budget and
the draft of the government's
2008-2009 financial note, which will
be presented by the President to the
House of Representatives plenary
session on Aug. 15.
Source: The Jakarta Post
Tue, 07/22/2008
