"When we look at the position until March 31, the state spending only grew 0.1 percent because of several factors.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The realized state spending in the first quarter of 2020 reached Rp462.4 trillion, constituting 17.8 percent of the targeted Rp2,540.4 trillion outlined in the 2020 state budget, Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati stated.

State spending grew 0.1 percent, from Rp453.1 trillion during the corresponding period last year, she noted at a press conference on the state budget in Jakarta on Friday.

The minister affirmed that state spending in the first quarter of 2019 increased 7.7 percent from a year earlier and represented 18.4 percent of the state budget ceiling.

"When we look at the position until March 31, state spending only grew 0.1 percent due to several factors," she remarked.

The state spending comprised the central government's spending of Rp277.9 trillion, up 6.6 percent from Rp260.7 trillion during the same period of 2019 and accounting for 16.5 percent of the targeted Rp1,683.5 trillion in the state budget.

Transfer of funding to regions and village funds reached Rp174.5 trillion, contracting 8.8 percent, from Rp191.3 trillion during the same period last year and accounting for 20.4 percent of the budget ceiling of Rp856.9 trillion, she noted.

The central government's spending comprised ministries' and non-ministerial government institutions' spending of Rp143 trillion, up 11 percent as compared to March 2019. The spending comprised personnel spending worth Rp48.6 trillion, goods spending amounting to Rp35.2 trillion, capital spending of Rp12 trillion, and social assistance worth Rp47.2 trillion.

The minister has forecast that capital spending, which increased 32.1 percent to Rp12 trillion as compared to March 2019, will likely slow down in the following months owing to the COVID-19 outbreak.

"Capital spending this year had originally been projected to be higher than the previous year. However, owing to the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has given priority to healthcare, social assistance, and economic recovery," she added.
Related news: Jokowi to optimize domestic industry for COVID-19 Response

Related news: Minister cooperates with association to anticipate COVID-19 impact

EDITED BY INE

Translator: Astrid Faidlatul Habibah/Suhar
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2020