"See a crisis as an opportunity to be able to formulate the right steps and then build a stronger foundation of the nation," the minister stated at the 74th Money Day Ceremony here on Saturday.
Indrawati stated that this pandemic was not only a health problem that had claimed lives but also had social, economic, and financial implications for the entire community.
"Indonesia is struggling to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted 200 other countries in the world. We will continue to focus all our energy and thoughts to overcome (the pandemic) and build a foundation for an onward Indonesia," she emphasized.
Currently, the government is struggling to formulate policies on economic issues, so that growth, which plunged to minus 5.32 percent in the second quarter, can be maintained in the third and fourth quarters.
"We continue to fight for recovery, especially in the third quarter, after encountering difficult conditions in the second quarter, with contraction reaching 5.3 percent," she stated.
Indrawati highlighted that the government was also striving to formulate a policy to offer protection to affected communities to ensure their survival amid the pandemic crisis.
"We must continue to implement policies to boost the economy to move again, with increasing consumption figures, so that producers can produce both for SMEs and large and medium enterprises," she noted.
The minister also reminded officials at the Ministry of Finance to take precautionary measures and responsive policy steps in this unusual scenario.
The minister expressed gratitude to her staff that had striven proactively to shape various policy formulations in order to respond to and deal with the impacts of COVID-19 on state finances.
"Although they have to work from home, it does not hinder the ability of the Ministry of Finance to continue to formulate steps to help society, restore the economy, and build the foundation of Indonesia," she added. Related news: State budget instrumental in helping public thwart pandemic's impact
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Translator: Astrid FH, Fardah
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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