On the economic front, nine new people are on the economic team to work with eight familiar names. They are expected to face mounting challenges in efforts to spur the country’s economy amid global uncertainties and weakness at home, ranging from a skills gap and unemployment to trade deficit and sluggish GDP expansion.

Jokowi appointed former industry minister and Golkar Party chairman Airlangga Hartarto as coordinating economic minister.

“I want breakthroughs and synergy among ministries so that job opportunities increase,  so we can lower the current account deficit, trade balance deficit and boost import and export substitution-oriented industrialization,” said Jokowi when introducing Airlangga while sitting on Presidential Palace’s stairs along with other Cabinet members.

Read also: New economic team ‘best option’ but raises concerns

Luhut Pandjaitan retains his position, with some additional tasks, as coordinating maritime affairs and investment minister. The President said he expected the former general to solve investment bottlenecks and realize large investment commitments.

Luhut has been having talks with potential big-ticket infrastructure investors from China, the US and United Arab Emirates to make sure Indonesia is targeted in their massive global funding that includes China’s Belt Road Initiative (BRI), the US’ International Development Finance Corporation and the UAE’s Mubadala.

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