27/10/2023. The digital economy balance sheet is regarded as critical for boosting the Indonesian economy and catching up with a higher level of digital literacy. According to the World Digital Index survey, Indonesia ranks 51 out of 64 countries.
For this reason, the government encourages the strengthening of the digital economy ecosystem, which is projected to sustain the stability of the Indonesian economy.
Airlangga Hartarto, Indonesia's Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs, stated that 2023 represents a strategic momentum for the country, particularly in terms of political and economic stability, as well as its role in the international community.
During the ASEAN chairmanship, the government encouraged the foundation of the digital economy through the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA), with the digital economy estimated to grow to US$2 trillion by 2030, allowing Indonesia to contribute 40%, or approximately US$800 million, to the ASEAN digital economy.
"The digital economy ecosystem is important to improve competitiveness. Our digital economy is still number 51 out of 64 countries, although it has risen two levels but it is not enough,” he said at the BNI Investor Daily Summit 2023, at Hutan Kota by Plataran, Jakarta, Wednesday (25/10/2023).
Airlangga noted that in order to accelerate this, collaboration with the private sector is required in a variety of areas, including technology and research, particularly in terms of digital technology accessibility and the expansion of satellite infrastructure and data centers.
“Indonesia needs green energy to supply the digital ecosystem, digital programs and education through pre-employment cards, vocational education, and of course knowledge of block chains, AI transformation, this is a prerequisite for our education at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels,” he said.
Airlangga also believes that Indonesia must be brave with artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prevalent. According to him, this trend can be anticipated by improving competence to become an AI Engineer.
“AI certainly must not conflict with national interest and must not conflict with individual interest and must maintain AI in accordance with fair competition,” he said.
On the other hand, the government continues to encourage Indonesian Human Resources (HR) to have an entrepreneurial spirit so that they start their own businesses and synergize with the government and stakeholders to accelerate digital infrastructure.
“This summit is expected to formulate synergies in the form of concrete collaboration and also maintain a sustainable national economy,” he concluded.