Indonesian gov't takes steps to lower inflation risks: minister

 Indonesia has prepared various programs to mitigate inflation risks as it is aware that inflation rate must be limited at a low and stable level in long term, a minister said here on Tuesday.


Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo told a parliamentary plenary session that the government has taken several measures on national rice production facing extreme weather.


"The actions are steps to achieve the target of rice self sufficiency of 10 million tons by 2015," said Martowardojo.


He said that the steps include provision of agricultural tools and infrastructure such as superior seeds, pest and disease eradication and fertilizer subsidy.


He also said that the government is cooperating with law enforcers, police and the Attorney General Office to take stern actions against speculations and commodity hoarding by traders.


The government also optimized market environment by setting affordable rice price, he said.


He added that the government has coordinated with the Bank Indonesia, the central bank, to boost efforts in controlling national inflation.
(Source:http://news.xinhuanet.com)