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FINANCE Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has projected the national economy to not still fully recover until the first semester of 2021 despite the government having targeted an economic growth of 4.5-5.5 percent.
“In fact, we cannot assume full recovery in the first semester of next year since COVID-19 will be one of the factors hindering recovery. I remarked that after the COVID-19 vaccine was discovered, widespread administration will be conducted only in the second semester of 2021,” she said.
Indrawati explained that economic recovery will vastly depend on the discovery and widespread administration of the COVID-19 vaccine during the second semester of 2020, the minister affirmed. Availability of the COVID-19 vaccine will shore up public confidence to conduct normal activities.
“Public confidence will rise once the vaccination is conducted. I also remarked that the government had apportioned budget funds in the draft 2021 state budget for procurement of vaccines and immunization, facilities and infrastructure, laboratories, and research and development centers to support vaccine researches,” she stated.
Indrawati added budget allocations for the health sector are set at IDR169.7 trillion, or equivalent to 6.2% of the state spending in the draft 2021 state budget. Procurement of the vaccine will prioritize domestic products developed through cooperation, including the transfer of knowledge and technology. [antaranews/photo special]
