Coordinating Economic Affairs Ministry’s Executive Secretary I Raden Pardede projects Indonesia to revert to a five-percent economic growth annually if the COVID-19 pandemic were to be brought under control and it entered the endemic stage.

“If COVID-19 becomes endemic, our economy will start to return to a growth of five percent per year and even more in case we can improve productivity,” Pardede told ANTARA on Thursday.

He called on the government to provide training to hone people’s digital literacy and skills since during the COVID-19 pandemic, several jobs required expertise in the digital technology sector.

“This is because ever since the COVID-19 pandemic struck, our lives have changed and we have entered the new normal era. If we live according to our old habits, we cannot grow well. Hence, there must be changes,” he emphasized.

Currently, goods and services are being marketed through an online platform to the public to which end expertise related to digital technology becomes even more important, Pardede stated.

The productivity of employees getting accustomed to working from home can also likely increase during the pandemic since their commuting time to and fro the office can be utilized to complete their work more effectively.

“With less commuting time, the work of employees can be more effective,” he remarked.

Pardede noted that the government will apply various approaches to control COVID-19 until the endemic stage is reached in Indonesia. In addition to vaccination, the government will contemplate on options for using COVID-19 medicines.

“We must make every effort to reduce the fatality rate, including looking for the right medicine. Although it may not be as effective as expected, but if it is 50-percent effective, then it could reduce the likelihood of death by 50 percent,” he added.

Source: Antara News