Airlangga Reiterates Prabowo's Commitment to Maintain Debt Ratio at 40 Percent and Deficit at 3 Percent
Jakarta, VIVA – Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, has reaffirmed President Prabowo Subianto’s commitment to maintaining the debt ratio at 40 percent, while keeping the state budget deficit at 3 percent.
This commitment was conveyed by President Prabowo during a Government Working Meeting attended by around 800 bureaucrats, BUMN directors, and high-ranking officials from the TNI, Police, and Prosecutor’s Office at the Presidential Palace Complex in Jakarta.
“The President is committed to keeping the debt ratio at 40 percent, even though the law allows up to 60 percent (of GDP). Similarly, the deficit will be maintained at 3 percent. This will be upheld until the end of the year,” said Airlangga on Wednesday, 8 April 2026.
The law referenced by Airlangga is Law No. 17 of 2003 on State Finances. In addition, Airlangga noted that tax revenues in March 2026 recorded a growth of 14.3 percent.
Therefore, he expressed optimism that economic growth in the first quarter of 2026 could reach around 5.5 percent.
“The government still sees economic growth in the first quarter as good, still able to achieve (the target). The Finance Minister also stated it would be larger or equal to 5.5 percent,” Airlangga said.
The Government Working Meeting also addressed the state of national food security, which shows a positive trend. Airlangga stated that Bulog’s rice stock has currently reached 4.6 million tons.
“Our food security is also relatively strong. Rice production in 2025 (was) 34.7 (million tons), and Bulog’s stock is 4.6 million tons,” said Airlangga.
Despite these achievements, Airlangga emphasised that the government continues to prepare various strategic policies to maintain the momentum of growth and economic stability. One of them is the implementation of the B50 biodiesel programme, which is believed to enhance state budget resilience.
“We have agreed that from 1 July, B50, which will increase budget resilience from savings of Rp48 trillion,” he said.