G20 Brings Positive Impacts on Indonesia, Sri Mulyani Says

INDUSTRY.co.id - Stimulation for economic growth amid COVID-19 pandemic is one of many direct impacts that Indonesia’s G20 presidency brings for the country, Minister of Finance Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said.

The Minister made the statement in her interview in the sixth episode of Podkabs, Cabinet and Cabinet Secretariat’s Podcast, aired on the YouTube  and Spotify channels of Cabinet Secretariat, Monday (08/08).

“Ministry of Finance and [Central Bank] Bank Indonesia hosted [a G20 meeting]. It was convened in Jakarta when Omicron wave hit the city. They (G20 delegates) were planned to stay at hotels, meaning that when the number of Omicron cases rose, hotels were empty. The upcoming G20 meetings will increase occupancy, which is good,” she said.

According to Sri Mulyani, when the G20 delegates go shopping, it will brought positive economic impacts to the people, adding that the G20 also improves tourism sector in Indonesia through, among others, various G20 meetings held in Bali.

“We want to revive tourism with G20. The number of delegates from finance ministries and central banks is estimated to reach up to 600, excluding reporters and others because if there are finance ministers from important countries, reporters from all over the world will come too,” she said.

The Minister also pointed out that a series of G20 meetings on sherpa and finance tracks include side events held in many places across the country, including Lake Toba in North Sumatra province, Labuan Bajo in East Nusa Tenggara province, Central Java provincial capital of Semarang, Special Region of Yogyakarta provincial capital Yogyakarta, North Minahasa in North Sulawesi, West Java provincial capital of Bandung, South Sulawesi provincial capital of Makassar, and West Papua provincial capital of Manokwari.

“We are also organizing side events attended by global companies, bringing positive economic impacts. We make spendings to hold the events, but what they (delegates) spend is also quite a lot,” she said.

For the record, Indonesia’s G20 Presidency that adopts the theme “Recover Together, Recover Stronger” lasts for one year from December 1, 2021 to November 30, 2022.

According to Sri Mulyani, during its G20 Presidency, Indonesia can play an essential role in leading global economic recovery, which is not only caused by the pandemic but also by geopolitical situations, such as the war in Ukraine.

“The President’s role is extraordinary. Indonesia is respected because the global situation is currently fragmented and we have been regarded as a non-aligned country. Therefore, the United States, European countries, and Japan’s bloc, Russian bloc, Chinese bloc, and other emerging countries respect Indonesia,” she said, adding that Indonesia as the country that holds the G20 Presidency is expected to be a positive mediator to establish world peace.

“Our founding fathers stated that Indonesia would be actively involved in establishing a world order based on the lasting peace,” she remarked.