G20 EXPECTS INDONESIA'S G20 PRESIDENCY SEEKS SOLUTION TO THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE CONFLICT

KUALA LUMPUR, April 22 (Brenama) -- The second G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting expects Indonesia's G20 Presidency to bring about a solution to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, states Indonesian Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati.

"(G20) members hope that the current geopolitical situation, particularly related to the war in Ukraine, will be handled," Indrawati noted at a press conference of the second G20 FMCBG meeting on Thursday.

The expectation is based on the fact that the global situation has worsened and changed rapidly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the Russia-Ukraine war, she remarked.

Moreover, the Russia-Ukraine war has a very dynamic implication, including on the energy, food, and fertiliser price hike, she affirmed.

According to a statement, Indrawati said Indonesia, which currently holds the G20 presidency, will continue to conduct intensive communication and consultations with all G20 members to address the very dynamic situation.

Indonesia continues to hold discussions with all G20 member states to find ways to get out of the various global economic risks that result not only from the war in Ukraine but also from the pandemic, she states.

The minister emphasised the current need for an exit strategy since several countries were under the threat of high inflation while the global energy and food price hike will increasingly create a challenging situation for policy makers.

According to Indrawati, G20 members are concerned about inflationary pressures that tend to prompt several central banks to raise the policy interest rates that will eventually lead to faster-than-expected global liquidity tightening.

-- BERNAMA