Indonesia to reduce poverty rate to 4 or 5 percent by 2025

Indonesia to reduce poverty rate to 4 or 5 percent by 2025

2012-02-25 07:50:21 GMT+7 (ICT)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (BNO NEWS) -- The government of Indonesia on Friday said it plans to reduce its nationwide poverty rate down to four or five percent in less than 15 years, local media reported.

Indonesia's National Development Planning Minister/National Planning Board chief Armida S Alisjahbana said that the implementation of the Accelerated Poverty Eradication Program Master Plan (MP3KI) will bring the poverty rate to lower levels with systematic planning.

Armida told the Antara news agency that by 2015, Indonesia is looking to increase its per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to Rp 15,000 ($1.66) and eventually reducing its poverty rate to 4 to 5 percent or lower.

Specifically, the minister said the poverty rate target for 2012 is 10.5 to 11.5 percent; for 2015, 8 to 10 percent; for 2020 from 6 to 7 percent or lower if the economy grows fast enough; and by 2025 the country is pushing for a maximum poverty rate of 4 to 5 percent.

With the Southeast Asian country already gradually bringing down its poverty rate, Armida underlined that the goals are realistic. However, she pointed out there are still a number of issues, such as the large prosperity gap that exists from Jakarta to other parts of Indonesia.

One of the plans goals is the implementation of the Law on the Social Security Executive Body (BPJS), which would integrate the entire social security and cover insurance as well as bring welfare benefits to the poor.

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