JAKARTA, Sept. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian economy was expected to grow close to 5 percent in 2022 after experiencing pressure from the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, the World Bank's Chief Economist for the East Asia and Pacific Region Aaditya Mattoo said.
"The factors driving Indonesia's economy to grow close to 5 percent are the government's various efforts in overcoming the COVID-19 pandemic," Mattoo said at the World Bank East Asia and Pacific Economic Update Briefing in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He observed that Indonesia has chosen a hybrid approach by tightening people's mobility and trying to support the economy at the same time.
Mattoo added that the Indonesian government has been taking an early measure to carry out a vaccination program which has become a factor in boosting the economy because recovery is highly dependent on people's immunity.
In addition, the accelerating vaccination programs, massive tracing, testing and treatment efforts as well as social distancing campaigns are also aspects of ways to restore the economy, he said.
However, Mattoo reminded that there are still several challenges for Indonesia, namely equitable distribution and budget for vaccinations, considering that the archipelago has a large and widespread population.
According to him, the Indonesian government also needs to carry out reforms, including those on social security who do not need assistance while receiving it.
He suggested that the Indonesian government continue to develop digital infrastructures to make it able to reach underprivileged communities in all corners of the country. Enditem
