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The Swiss Alps are a perfect place for global corporate leaders, government heads and civil society leaders to ponder the challenges that face the world and the solutions required to overcome them. The stillness of the mountains allows for quiet reflection and, in fact, even some deep soul-searching.

Perhaps the record snowfall recorded in Davos this year as the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting came to a conclusion is reflective of the mood among both leaders and citizens alike: they must brace themselves for a long economic winter.

The outlook for the global economy is downright chilly.

Europe grapples with a massive sovereign debt crisis and the United States battles with an enormous deficit. Asia and Latin America can boast strong growth but both regions need to address widening income gaps and grinding poverty.

And after the euphoria of the Arab Spring, reality has set in the Middle East.

The truth of the matter is that there is no quick fix for these challenges.

The message from Davos is that it requires sustained and consistent investment in infrastructure, education and private business to achieve significant economic growth and prosperity. However, it also requires enlightened policy-making by leaders and entrepreneurship on the part of the private sector.

How does this affect Indonesia? It means that the government cannot afford to relax. It must push even harder to open up the economy, accelerate infrastructure development and overhaul the education system. It means ensuring that the policy mix is spot on and the business environment is conducive for investment.

Indonesia can take heart, however, from the fact that it is one of only a handful of economies that is both large and posting strong growth.

It is also on a trajectory that will enable it to reduce poverty significantly and raise the standard of living for millions of its citizens.

One thing to keep in mind though, is that it has taken much effort and many years to get to this level but it will take only a few mistakes or bad decisions to undo the progress.