Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) affirmed that improvement in the quality of human resources (HR) is the main factor of economic transformation.

"The reformation of education, health system, as well as continuous strengthening of the social safety net system continue to be bolstered," Jokowi noted in his speech on the state budget draft for the 2024 fiscal year and the financial notes.

Jokowi delivered the speech during the plenary meeting of the House of Representatives (DPR) for the 2023-2024 sitting period at the Parliamentary Complex here on Wednesday.

Jokowi stated that HR quality development that is healthy, productive, and innovative as well as guarantees inclusivity and justice continues to be carried out to ensure no Indonesian is left behind.

Thus, efforts to eradicate extreme poverty and stunting and the development of remote areas must yield success, he stressed.

Furthermore, Jokowi highlighted that global and national challenges should be responded to in an appropriate and effective manner.

"The role of the state budget is very important and strategic in supporting, facilitating, and determining the direction of economic, social, and national defense and security competitiveness policies," he remarked.

To this end, going forward, the fiscal policy is designed with the objective of accelerating the achievement of targets and national development priorities.

The president noted that the agenda of economic transformation, including the downstreaming of natural resources, both mining and food products, would continue.

In addition, protecting and improving the welfare of the community, especially those with low incomes, is also said to remain an important focus to support fundamental structural improvements.

The president underscored that Indonesia’s opportunity to get out of the middle-income country trap is not open forever.

“We are maximally using the young population structure caused by the demographic dividend,” he remarked.

According to the president, economic transformation is continued to boost the attractiveness of investment and to create decent job opportunities on a massive scale.

Jokowi also stated that Indonesia's participation in the global supply chain, especially in the high-tech and environmentally friendly sectors, continues to be encouraged.

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Translator: Sella Panduarsa, Raka Adji
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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