"We used our own methods to deal with the global crisis in 2008 and 2009. We also put forward four principles: namely pro-growth, pro-job, pro-poor and pro-environment ," Yudhoyono said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesia will maintain its economic sovereignty, even during a crisis, in view of lessons learned from the 2008 crisis, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said here on Tuesday.

"A number of achievements have been made by the country in the past eight years," he noted, while presenting an overview of the country`s economy during a speech before members of the National Economic Committee (KEN).

He said one of the achievements made by Indonesia has been reestablishing its national economic sovereignty following the repayment of the country`s debt to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reaching US$6.7 million in 2006, and the dissolution of the Consultative Group for Indonesia (CGI) in 2007.

"We used our own methods to deal with the global crisis in 2008 and 2009. We also put forward four principles: namely pro-growth, pro-job, pro-poor and pro-environment ," he said.

Further, President Yudhoyono added that the government had provided fiscal stimulus and measured social protection for businesses and community members to deal with challenges during the crisis.

President Yudhoyono said he hoped all parties could continue cooperating when facing a crisis so that all sectors would contribute to its solution.

Meanwhile, KEN chairman Chairul Tanjung said the National Economic Committee event the President spoke at was held to smooth the steps being taken to lead Indonesia towards 2030.

"Latest global developments have shown that Asia is a dynamic region and is contributing to global trade and its economy," he noted.

He said Indonesia must be able to taken advantage of various conditions and would not make growth its ultimate goal.

"We wish to make conditions in our country better than now and prosperity better than now," he said.

He further commented that "there are still parties that do not believe in economic progress and say that an advanced Indonesia is a mere dream. Therefore, on this occasion, we would say that we can make it."

He noted that in 2030 Indonesia would be among the world`s five largest economies, with a per capita income reaching US$15,000.

To achieve this, "correct strategic plans and hard work are needed, while progress must rely on the country`s exclusive trait, shown by superiority in the management of its natural resources, besides its strategic geographical position in the Asia Pacific trade zone. Indonesia has an opportunity to take advantage of the global production links," he said.

He added that the country`s cultural, traditional and natural diversity spreading across islands also has a selling value.(*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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