"Economic conditions are clearly better these days compared to 10 years ago when per capita income was no more than 500 US dollars," Minister Rajasa said when visiting this Central Java town.
Rajasa said that the current per capita income is 3,000 US dollars. There were comments from other countries 10 years ago that Indonesia would not be able to be a developed nation if the per capita income reached only 500 US dollars.
With persistence and hard work to overcome all the hardship and difficulties during the economic crises of 1997-2000, Indonesia could eventually improve the economy. Even in the last global crises of 2008, Indonesia`s economy grew 4.5 percent.
"It`s just fair that we are thankful as Indonesia`s economic growth is the third highest in the world," said Minister Rajasa, adding that the poverty rate is now on a declining 7.1 percent rate, 13.1 percent in 2010, and 19.9 percent in 2009.
Rajasa said that the Indonesian government has been focusing on improving the social condition of the people by providing credits to them to develop their businesses.
On the Central Java province, Minister Rajasa said that the region is among the most dynamic economically so that the government has granted awards on many occasions for these achievements. (*)
Editor: Kunto Wibisono
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
