President Jokowi, IMF discuss global economy

Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva discussed global economy when they met in Bangkok for the 35th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit on Sunday.

Before they began the discussion held at the Impact Exhibition and Convention Center, President Jokowi congratulated Georgieva on her new role as IMF managing director since October 2019, Chief of the Press, Media and Information Bureau of the Presidential Secretariat Erlin Suastini said in a written statement released on Sunday.

Georgieva is the first IMF managing director from an emerging economy, Bulgaria, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said at .Hotel Grand Hyatt Erawan in Bangkok, on Sunday.

At the meeting both sides exchanged ideas about the global and regional economic conditions, Retno said.

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Georgieva said the global economy currently slowed down and even grew at the lowest pace in the past decade. However, the economic condition of ASEAN member countries including Indonesia is far better than those of the rest of the world.

"She said the ASEAN economy is still on the 'bright spot in the world economy'. The bright spot is in ASEAN," Retno said.

President Jokowi further unveiled the focus of Indonesian development including human resources development, infrastructure development and institutional reform in the next five years.

During the meeting, President Jokowi was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Mahfud MD, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto, and Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung.

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