Indonesia launches economic package to boost growth

The Indonesian government has launched a new economic package designed to boost growth to 6.9 percent next year and reduce poverty and jobless rate, local press said Wednesday.

The package signed by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono seeks to cut unemployment rate to between 8 percent and 9 percent of the labor force from the current 9.76 percent, equivalent to 10.5 million people of working age.

It also aims to reduce poverty rate from 17.75 percent in 2006 to 15 percent in 2008, reported leading economic daily Bisnis Indonesia.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Boediono said the package details 85 plans of actions to improve the investment climate, simplify customs and cargo handling procedures, promote good governance and increase tax revenues.

"This package is expected to accelerate the economic growth and eventually reduce poverty and unemployment rate," Boediono said when introducing the package Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua