The three problems were corruption, lack of infrastructure facilities and bureaucratic red tape, the finance minister said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo said three problems had to be solved to enable the economy to grow faster.

"The economy can grow faster if we can overcome the obstacles that hinder growth," he said in his speech at the introduction of pro-people programs under the 2012 State Budget here on Wednesday.

He said the three problems were corruption, lack of infrastructure facilities and bureaucratic red tape.

With regard to corruption he cited the President`s statement that eradicating it was the task of all government officials at all levels as well as law enforcement officers.

On the lack of infrastructure facilities, he said the President had asked all offices at national and regional levels to mobilize all existing potentials.

"The central and regional governments have been asked to increase budget efficiency and reduce routine spendings, and to allocate the resulting savings for infrastructure development," he said.

Meanwhile, the minister said, fundamental reform was needed to improve the bureaucracy. "Efforts to improve the quality of bureaucratic services must not stop at better action plans and the granting of remunerations but also look at results and achievements," he said.

He said all of the problems had to be overcome in three years` time in line with the President`s order.

"To achieve the goal, our roles must be improved so that we will not become problems but supporters of development and economic growth," he said.

The minister said the economy could still grow despite the current uncertainties in the world economy.

He predicted the country`s economy would grow 6.6 percent in 2011 based on the assumption that growth would reach more than 6.5 percent in the fourth quarter.

"Our assumption is a minimum growth of 6.5 percent but it could be more than that. As we have seen all sectors have grown well such as manufacturing, trade and communication. They remain the main growth drivers," he said. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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