Indonesia's president targets 7.7% economic growth

JAKARTA, Indonesia

Indonesia's president says he wants Southeast Asia's biggest economy to grow 7.7 percent before he finishes his second term in 2014.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, making his annual state of the nation address, also said Monday he wants to create 10.7 million new jobs and to slash poverty by up to 10 percent.

Indonesia, the world's fourth most populous nation, has experienced solid growth despite the global downturn. Its economy is expected to expand over 6 percent this year, up from 4.5 percent in 2009 and 6 percent in 2008.

"The government wants to see the economy grow by as much as 7 to 7.7 percent by 2014. With a good planning and implementation, we are optimistic the target can be achieved," Yudhoyono said.