"The (government will continue to address the issue of) disparities among residents and the disparities among regions," the president said while chairing a limited meeting to discuss the poverty rate and the economic disparity reduction program at the Presidential Office here on Wednesday.
He said all policies and programs related to poverty alleviation and economic disparity eradication efforts must be implemented in an integrated fashion by involving ministries, Bank Indonesia, the Financial Services Authority (OJK) and the National Logistics Agency (Bulog).
The current poverty rate is the result of economic slowdown and instability in prices, he noted.
"The two factors, economic slowdown and rising food prices, particularly the price of rice, should become the center of our attention," he said.
The president said unstable food prices can easily erode all the positive impact of the governments programs, particularly with regard to poverty eradication.
He further said village fund program must benefit the people through labor-intensive projects which will eventually improve the purchasing power of villagers.
He was also proud of the progress achieved in disbursing smallholder business credits which offer low interest.(WDY)
