Bambang Susantono: Infrastructure Has Become ?Soko Guru? for Indonesia?s Economy

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Deputi V Kementerian Koordinator Bidang Perekonomian, Bambang Susantono, asserted that infrastructure now becomes an important and influential factor to our economy. Infrastructure has now affect sectors such as consumption, government spending, investments, and exports.
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Susantono stated that consumption sector has become one of the main factors which support Indonesia in facing the global crisis, while exports sector gives only 20 percent support. This factor somehow helps Indonesia in being one of the countries remain strong during the crisis.
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IMF and ADB data shows that Indonesia, alongside with China, Saudi Arabia, Philippines, South Africa, and India are those countries whose economy growths remain strong regardless the crisis.
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?Among Asian countries, Indonesia?s economy growth still shows quite good performance. Indonesia?s economy growth now reaches 3 to 3,5 percent,? said Susantono.
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This was discussed by Susantono in the Konferensi Nasional Teknik Sipil ke-3 (Konteks-3), organized by Civil Engineering Department of Universitas Pelita Harapan (UPH) and Universitas Atma Jaya Yogyakarta (UAJY) on Wednesday (6/05) and Thursday (7/05). This event is a continuation for Konteks-1 and Konteks-2 held by UAJY before, also to? commemorate 15 year founding of UPH?s Civil Engineering Department.
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In the conference, Susantono also stated that in the world of civil engineering, innovative ideas are needed to invent appropriate technology which is sustainable and suitable with Indonesia?s environment.
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?Civil engineering is a symbol of civilization. In the future, Indonesia?s young generation needs to create innovations which will improve our education world, as well as our economy,? he said.