GROWTH RATE IN 2010 PROJECTED AT 5 PCT

Jakarta, Jul 24 (ANTARA) - The government has projected the country's economic growth in 2010 at five percent, thereby lowering the unemployment and poverty rates in Indonesia.

State Minister for the National Development Planning/Head of the National Development Planning Agency (Bappenas) Paskah Suzetta said in Jakarta Thursday with an economic growth of 5 percent the unemployment rate would become eight percent, and poverty most likely would become 12-13.5 percent.

He said the increased growth was thanks to the restoring global economy which had boosted investment and oil/gas exports.

It was also thanks to the maintained power purchasing capacity of the public which is apparent in the 4.2 percent increase in consumption of the public.

"This would hopefully be achieved by maintaining the subsidy for the people's basic needs," he said.

Besides, he added, it was also aimed at protecting the poor under the overall and integrated social protection system.

Paskah said in 2010 the government will raise the subsidy for the agricultural sector and infrastructure development.

In the last five years, he added, the government has been regularly raising the subsidy for affordable prices especially for the poor segment of the society.