"I just want to ensure that the rice stock is adequate, and market operation is working," he noted while visiting a warehouse of the National Logistic Agency (Bulog) at Kelapa Gading in North Jakarta, here, Thursday.
The management of Bulog has improved compared to that three or four years ago, Jokowi stated.
"This year`s stock is higher than that of last year," the president, who was accompanied by Coordinating Economic Minister Darmin Nasution and Trade Minister Enggartiasto Lukita during his visit, stated.
Rice prices have dropped owing to market operations conducted by Bulog, he added.
He expressed optimism over the rice stock, as a grand harvest of rice will be conducted, starting March 2019.
The rice stock reached 2.1 million tons from late 2018 to early 2019, a significant increase as compared to 700 thousand to 800 thousand tons in December in the previous years.
Rice prices decreased by Rp50 per kg following routine market operations by Bulog, he remarked.
The president is giving serious attention to the stable prices of basic commodities. Hence, he has frequently visited markets for observing the prices of basic commodities and conversing with the local traders.
Reporting by Agus Salim, fardah
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
