Based on a number of calculations, one of the drivers for achieving 8 percent economic growth target is human resource productivity, he said in the discussion "Sekolah Rakyat (People's Schools), Hope for Nation's Children," which was monitored online here on Tuesday (9/30).
"When foreign investment comes in, the people are not marginalized but they can take advantage of it, so that ultimately, with quality human resources, we are able to increase our economic driving force," said Faisal.
He believes that if a person's skills are not adequate, he cannot meet the needs of industry.
Therefore, the government continues to promote various human resource development programs, such as Sekolah Rakyat, Garuda Schools, Free Nutritious Meals (MBG), and so on.
He explained that based on the Cobb-Douglas production function theory, there are at least two contributors to increased production: capital and labor. Human resources are a factor that supports sustainable economic growth.
In Asta Cita (the government's main targets) mission, the government has a target to support economic growth, one of which is through industrialization by increasing foreign direct investment (FDI).
However, if this is not accompanied by adequate worker absorption capacity, domestic human resources will be marginalized.
He cited Maluku as an example, which recorded regional economic growth of 20 percent in the second quarter of 2025, but its poverty rate did not improve.
"This (figure) is much higher than the national growth of only 5 percent, but people in the area are still poor. This means a lack of absorptive capacity," he said, referring to the minimal absorption of local human resources.
Faisal hopes that the quality of human resources in Indonesia can continue to be improved to meet industrial needs, which can ultimately encourage high and inclusive national economic growth.
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Translator: Agatha Olivia Victoria,Katriana
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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