Indonesia’s top economists launched on Friday the Indonesia Bureau of Economic Research (IBER) as an effort to improve the quality of economic studies in the country.
The IBER is supported by 13 universities and institutions, including the University of Indonesia (UI), Gadjah Mada University (UGM), the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) and the Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), dean of the UI’s school of economy and business Ari Kuncoro said during the launch.
“In the future, we will also cooperate with the government, including with the Finance Ministry, Bappenas (National Development Planning Agency), the Trade Ministry and the Central Statistics Agency,” said Ari.
The IBER also appointed Boediono, who was vice president under former president Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, as chairman of the board.
“[Former trade minister] Bu Mari Elka Pangestu came to see me and asked me if I wanted to be part of the board,” Boediono said on the same occasion.
With the formation of the bureau, the former VP said, he hoped that the IBER would become a renowned organization with capability in providing relevant and accurate studies that are trusted by the general public, both domestically and internationally.
source: The Jakarta Post