Indonesian President Joko Widodo and First Lady Iriana Widodo wave to journalists as they enter the parliament building before the annual State of the Nation Address, ahead of the country's Independence Day, in Jakarta, Indonesia, Aug 16, 2024. – Reuters
JAKARTA: Indonesia President Joko Widodo touted his success in delivering steady economic growth, boosting onshore processing of its raw materials, ramping up infrastructure and reducing poverty as he prepares to wrap up his decade-long tenure as the country’s leader.
Jokowi, as the president is better known, said he has built a foundation for "Indonesia-centric development”. That includes boosting onshore processing of critical minerals which have drawn investments and created more than 200,000 jobs, the leader said in his final annual State of the Nation address on Friday (Aug 16).
"Although many other countries have sued, opposed, and even tried to thwart us, as a sovereign nation, as a great nation, we do not waver, but continue to move forward,” said Jokowi, who will step down from his post in late October after serving the maximum two presidential terms.
Under his governance, Indonesia has kept economic growth steady at around 5 per cent, stabilised inflation at roughly 2 per cent to 3 per cent and reduced extreme poverty. Unemployment, as well as the rate of stunted development among children, has also been reduced, he said. – Bloomberg
