Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Indonesias economic growth is among the highest in Asia despite being affected by the global economic slowdown, President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) stated.

"Indonesias economy in the first quarter of 2016 grew by 4.91 percent. In fact, in the second quarter of this year, the national economy registered a growth of 5.18 percent," the president remarked in his state address before the joint session of the Regional Representatives Council (DPD) and the House of Representatives (DPR) here on Tuesday in the run-up to the 71st anniversary of Indonesias Independence.

Jokowi reiterated that Indonesias economic growth was higher than the average global economic growth and that of developing nations.

The president noted that 2016 is the year for accelerating national development, following the construction of infrastructure across the country, especially in villages, suburban areas, and border regions in order to boost national connectivity.

"Armed with the achievement of a fundamental transformation in the economy, the government is determined to accelerate development. We must move forward," he emphasized.

The joint session of the DPD and the DPR was led by House Speaker Ade Komaruddin and was attended by leaders of state institutions, such as Peoples Consultative Assembly Chairman Zulkifli Hasan and DPD Chairman Irman Gusman.

Also present at the occasion were former presidents BJ Habibie and Megawati Soekarnoputri, former vice presidents Try Sutrisno and Boediono, and the representatives of friendly countries.