Bambang Brodjonegoro

Finance Minister Bambang Brodjonegoro says he is thinking positive thoughts despite the gloomy economic situation and the spreading rumors about a Cabinet reshuffle.

'€œI'm thinking positively of the existing development. When the President held a meeting with economists, it is ordinary to seek input in connection with the national economic situation and other issues,'€ he said in Beijing on Monday night.

Bambang was in Beijing to sign the establishment of the Asian Infrastructure Development Bank (AIIB) and to hold a bilateral meeting with his Chinese counterpart.

Bambang said the performances of economic ministers have yet to be maximized and should be seen in a broader context and not blamed on a single factor.

'€œThe economic situation is weakening; the rupiah is depressed, but this is not only because of the home situation. There is also an unpredictable global situation that is highly dynamic,'€ Bambang said as quoted by Antara news agency.

In a meeting with President Joko '€œJokowi'€ Widodo at the State Palace on Monday, 11 economists indicated that the President would likely reshuffle his Cabinet immediately because of the slow economic growth and the low spending of the 2015 state budget. According to the President, he needs a '€œpower star'€ finance minister who has the ability to change market perceptions.

Bambang said that a 4.7 percent economic growth was realistic and it was higher than other countries in the current global economic situation.

'€œFor instance, China as the world's second largest economic power is only at 2 percent and has several times cut interest rates because of the unpredictable global economic situation,'€ he said.

The economic crisis that has hit Greece the worst will also worsen the global economic situation, including Indonesia's, he added. (rms)(+++)

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