"I went to markets in various regions. It showed that the post-pandemic economic revival has become more stable. Public consumption was improving along with the return of the formal and informal economic sectors," Sambuaga noted in a press statement received here, Tuesday.
The deputy trade minister remarked that people's trade activity was a real indicator of economic growth on the basis of the large contribution of household consumption to the Indonesian economy.
If markets are consistently bustling with people's transactions, then it means the economy is running well and the people's purchasing power is maintained, Sambuaga noted.
He stated that the Ministry of Trade continued to maintain the availability of supplies for meeting the community's needs, especially for ensuring that basic and essential goods become more affordable to the community.
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"Some have experienced a decrease in prices, especially for basic commodities, such as cooking oil, onions, and meat. The Ministry of Trade and related ministries continue to minimize the impacts of global conditions, such as the war in Ukraine, that increased commodity prices in Indonesia," he affirmed.
In the foreign trade sector, Indonesia also continues to record a surplus that contributes positively to the national economy, in general.
Based on the BPS data, Indonesia's surplus this year, as of June, had reached US$24.8 billion, or higher than 2021 when the figure reached US$11.4 billion.
Sambuaga said the Ministry of Trade will continue to maintain positive conditions in Indonesia's trade, both for domestic and international.
"All elements at the ministry are optimistic that Indonesia's trade would continue to grow positively and bounce back after the pandemic," he noted.
Sambuaga remarked that those efforts would also help to realize the spirit of "Recover Faster, Rise Stronger" proclaimed by President Joko Widodo as the theme of this year's Independence Day commemoration.
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Translator: Subagyo, Resinta Sulistiyandar
Editor: Suharto
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