Prabowo pushes for 8% economic growth through MBG to people's housing

Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government under the leadership of President Prabowo Subianto is targeting national economic growth of 8 per cent through job creation with various strategic programmes, ranging from Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) to the construction of people’s housing. Quoting the Indonesian Government Communication Agency in Jakarta on Sunday, the MBG programme is considered to have a significant impact on job creation, targeting around 30,000 kitchens, each employing 50 people, thus potentially absorbing about 1.5 million workers. “That’s already 1.5 million,” Prabowo said. In addition, each kitchen will involve a supply chain from food ingredient vendors, estimated to absorb an additional up to 1.5 million workers. Besides the MBG programme, the government has also rolled out several initiatives to expand workforce absorption through the Merah Putih Village Cooperatives, Merah Putih Fishermen’s Villages, and the construction of one million homes. The Merah Putih Village Cooperatives are relied upon as drivers of village economies, with a target of forming 80,000 cooperatives and an estimate of 18 workers per unit, meaning the programme could create around 1.4 million new jobs. In the maritime sector, the Merah Putih Fishermen’s Villages are focused on increasing productivity and the welfare of fishermen, with a target of building up to 1,100 fishermen’s villages by 2026. “We’re making a pilot project in Biak, where fishermen’s incomes have risen on average by 60 per cent to 80 per cent,” Prabowo said. Meanwhile, the one million homes construction programme is said to be one of the biggest engines of job creation. Each housing unit is estimated to involve five workers, so the total could absorb up to five million workers, not including the ripple effects from supporting sectors such as building materials and utilities. Prabowo stated that he is optimistic that the overall programmes can drive national economic growth beyond the set target. “I’m confident that when this runs, it will be more than 8 per cent,” he said.