President Discusses Unemployment

Jakarta, Dec 3 (ANTARA) - President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono chaired a limited cabinet meeting at his office here on Monday to discuss unemployment and provision of jobs. Present at the meeting, which started at 10.30 am, were Vice President Boediono and a number of cabinet ministers and high-ranking officials. The ministers attending the meeting are, among others, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Hatta Rajasa, Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Djoko Suyanto, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono, Manpower and Transmigration Minister Muhaimin Iskandar, Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo, State Enterprises Minister Dahlan Iskan. In his opening speech, President Yudhoyono urged the ministers to pay attention to the Indonesia�s economy and step up efforts to reduce unemployment � which has reached 6 percent � in the country. �Unemployment can be reduced by increasing job opportunities, opening new factories, intensifying infrastructure development efforts, and improving the turnover of trade and services,� he said.