Mahendra said after being received by President Yudhoyono and Vice President Boediono at the former`s private residence in Cikeas, Bogor, here on Saturday he was ready to assume the new post.
"I have expressed readiness to carry out the new assignment," he said.
He said during the meeting President Yudhoyono had given directives on current global economic developments which are not quite conducive in the northern hemisphere and various banking problems in the world.
In view of that he said he had been asked to strengthen the country`s finance and maintain the economic growth momentum in the midst of currently unfriendly world economic conditions.
Mahendra has also been asked to support the finance minister to prepare apparatus, policies and programs in the finance ministry to strengthen economic growth.
Presidential spokesman Julian Aldrin Pasha said Mahendra`s appointment would not affect the position of present deputy finance minister Anny Rahmawati and so there will now be two deputy finance ministers later.
Julian however did not tell about their job descriptions. He said Mahendra was appointed as deputy finance minister because of his capability and good background in the field.
(T.D013/H-YH/HAJM/A014)
Editor: Priyambodo RH
Copyright © ANTARA 2011
