"Our meeting today is not on schedule. But I deem it necessary to invite you to discuss a number of things related to what have happened in our country from day to day, particularly two main issues," the President said.
Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono called an impromptu cabinet meeting at his office here on Tuesday evening to discuss economic developments and inter-religious conflicts.

"Our meeting today is not on schedule. But I deem it necessary to invite you to discuss a number of things related to what have happened in our country from day to day, particularly two main issues," the President said at the limited cabinet meeting.

The President called the meeting after receiving a report from the upstream oil and gas regulatory special task force (SKK Migas). Vice President Boediono was also present to accompany the President at the meeting.

Among the ministers who attended the meeting were Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik, State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan, Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, and National Development Planning Minister Armida S Alisajhaban.

Also present were Trade Minister Gita Wirjawan, Industry Minister MS Hidayat, Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa, Religious Affairs Minister Suryadharma Ali, Minister/State Secretary Sudi Silalahi, National Police chief Gen. Timur Pradopo, Attorney General Basrief Arief, Cabinet Secretary Dipo Alam, Deputy Finance Minister Any Ratnawati, and chief of the president`s working unit for development supervision and control Kuntoro Mangkusubroto.

The President said the two main issues were divided into four issues, three of them economic issues.

He said steps were needed to maintain economic growth particularly after the central statistics agency (BPS) announced the first-quarter growth at 6.02 percent, the lowest since 2010.

The other economic issues concerned a draft revision of the 2013 state budget and lengthy licensing procedure which still poses an obstacle to investment. (*)

Editor: Heru Purwanto
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