Infrastructure project in Medan, North Sumatera. (Image via Tribun Medan)

North Sumatera's Economic Growth is Predicted to be 5,4%

North Sumatera shows a great economic growth this year. The number is predicted to be even higher than the nation's semester I 2019 economic growth. A spokesperson for North Sumatera's Bank Indonesia Wiwiek Sisto revealed that the economic growth is predicted to be about 5,0% - 5,4%. This result is most likely due to the increase of government's consumption, local export, as well as the decrease of overseas import.

Wiwiek Sisto revealed for the last 3 years, various areas are being developed. This affected the economic growth in North Sumatera, because poverty and employment rates are decreased. It is reported that the poverty rate has been decreased since 2015, as much as 4,3%.

The government of North Sumatera Edy Rahmayadi is optimist that North Sumatera could maintain this growth. Turns out, North Sumatera's economic growth is the biggest compare to other cities in Sumatera with Aceh 3,88%, West Sumatera 4,78%, Bengkulu 5,01%, Riau Island 4,76%, Riau 2,88%, Jambi 4,73%, Bangka Belitung 2,79%, and Lampung 5,18%.

Bank Indonesia deputy Dody Budi Waluyo thinks that North Sumatera will get more challenges in the future, due to global trade war. North Sumatera is now relying on palm oil and it is predicted to be affected by the global trade war. Dody stated that new innovations are needed to anticipate the challenges.

Source: https://ekbis.sindonews.com/read/1421924/33/pertumbuhan-ekonomi-sumatera-utara-diperkirakan-54-156353530