Zubair Qureshi Islamabad
Central banks of Indonesia and Pakistan faced similar challenges during the pandemic and tackled them wisely by adopting out of the box and innovative policies.
These views were expressed by panelists at an Online Internship Programme titled “Contemporary Dynamics of Indonesia.”
The programme, a joint initiative of the Embassy of Indonesia and the University of Peshawar (UoP) held its second part on the “Role of Central Bank in maintaining financial stability during the crisis”.
Ms Anastuty Kusumowardhani, Chief Representative Bank of Indonesia, Singapore, and Prof Dr. Amir Hussain, UoP were the two key speakers on the occasion.
Through the initiative, the Indonesian Embassy intends to establish “Indonesian Corner” at the UoP which is one of the oldest and prestigious universities in Pakistan and also considered to be the mother university in the KP province.
Indonesian Ambassador Adam Tugio described the OIP as a prelude to the “Indonesian Corners” that the Embassy looks forward to establishing at the leading Universities in Pakistan.
According to Ambassador Adam Tugio the “Indonesian Corners” were intended to serve as the hub of academic and cultural activities to enhance linkages between the academia, artists and professionals of the two countries by way of organizing various programmes such as language courses, online internship programmes, seminars, festivals, sports events and other activities of common interest.
Guest Speaker from the Bank of Indonesia outlined the tasks, role, duties and functions of the bank and shared its vision and mission with the audience.
Anastuty Kusumowardhani said Covid-19 placed the Indonesian economy under enormous pressure in 2020, turbulence unlike anything before was witnessed.
The government’s immediate response to curb the spread of Covid-19 through imposition of large-scale social restrictions, inevitably weighed on economic performance.