Last Friday (Nov 8), the USAID Deputy Administrator Bonnie Glick had met with Mohammad Al-Arief, the special advisor to Indonesia’s minister of finance.
At the meeting, Deputy Administrator Glick bolstered USAID’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s development and announced USAID Indonesia’s Fiscal Year 2019 budget at US$93 million, a US$3-million rise since the last fiscal year.
The funding will back ongoing and future programs in governance, environment security, higher education and research, economic growth, and health.
"In USAID, our mantra is that we work with countries as they continue their journey to self-reliance. For Indonesia, we funded 90 million dollars last year, and this year, our funding will be 93 million dollars," Deputy Administrator Glick remarked at the meeting.
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"At the end of the day, we are looking for ways to work with IndoAID to build the capacity there, with Indonesia as a global leader," she stated.
The Ministry of Finance is one of USAID’s principal partners and plays a critical role in deriving sustainable development gains on shared priorities between the United States and Indonesia.
Special Adviser Al-Arief highlighted the historic partnership between both nations and Indonesia’s efforts to improve public financial management and tax administration.
One-third of Indonesia’s national budget is spent on fiscal transfers to over 540 local governments in 34 provinces. Public financial management is the key to ensuring efficient tax collection and spending.
Along with the Government of Indonesia, the USAID is designing its next five-year strategy for the 2021-2026 period that aims to support Indonesia’s vision for self-reliance by spurring economic growth and bringing about improvements in public financial management.
Before her arrival in Indonesia, on November 4, Glick participated in the Indo-Pacific Business Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, where she highlighted USAID’s expanding partnerships in Indo-Pacific nations -- including Indonesia -- on energy, infrastructure, digital connectivity, trade, and other economic activities. Related news: Indonesia vows investment ease at meeting with US' Wilbur Ross
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Reporter: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
Editor: Azis Kurmala
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
