There is no problem at all with regard to the availability of food ahead of Eid
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Rosan Perkasa Roeslani, encouraged people to not buy out of panic, as food stock ahead of the Eid holidays was still adequate.

"There is no problem at all with regard to the availability of food ahead of Eid," he said during a press conference regarding the coronavirus held at the Presidential Offices in Jakarta, Wednesday.

He ensured that the chamber had received reports regarding the availability of food supplies from member associations.

For this reason, he asked the public not to worry about food shortages amid the COVID-19 spread.

"There is no need to buy excessively, there are enough supplies, including ahead of the fasting month of Ramadan," said Roeslani.

In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, he said, the business sector still strives to maintain continuity by thinking positively and hoping, as well as preparing for the best.

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"Indeed, there is an economic impact, because we know our imports are 25 percent from China, while exports are 16 percent. The slowdown in China's growth can be up to 4.5 and will certainly have an impact on Indonesia," said Roeslani.

A number of anticipatory measures have been taken by businesses, one of which is the import of raw materials and capital materials, as there are a number of sectors, as of March 2020, that only left raw material supplies for the next two to three months, especially in the sectors of pharmaceutical, electronic and raw textile materials.

"However, there are positive developments as factories have begun to run again in Wuhan. It is hoped that the supply chain and the supply of capital goods will soon be resolved; hopefully, the situation will get better," he said. Related news: Indonesian government must prioritize fuel for fishermen: Kadin
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Translator: Hanni Sofia, Indra Arief/Aria
Editor: Mulyo Sunyoto
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