Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Opening of Hannover Messe 2021, Monday, 12 April 2021 from the State Palace, DKI Jakarta Province

Distinguished German Chancellor Angela Merkel;

Ladies and Gentlemen;

Good afternoon Germany, good evening Indonesia.

It is an honor for Indonesia to become a partner country at Hannover Messe 2021 for the second time after 26 years ago.

The theme of Hannover Messe 2021 “Technological Transformation” is highly relevant to the current pandemic situation. And amid the pandemic, transformation of technology, especially digital technology, plays an ever more important role. The transformation of technology that creates momentum does not only bring the world to end a pandemic, but also makes a great leap forward.

Chancellor Merkel,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2045, exactly a century of Indonesian Independence, will be a golden year for Indonesia, Golden Indonesia. It is the great vision of Indonesia, Golden Indonesia, which is realized through industry 4.0. Indonesia’s digital economy and industry 4.0 in Indonesia are the fastest in Southeast Asia. Indonesia is home to about 2.193 start-ups, the fifth largest in the world. Indonesia has five unicorn start-ups and even has one decacorn start-up.

From now on, this industry will contribute to Indonesia’s GDP of about USD133 billion by 2025. Supported by 185 million people who have the fourth largest internet access in the world, the progress of industry 4.0 will make Indonesia break into the top ten global economy by 2030. I would like to invite Germany to be the partner to realize digital transformation in Indonesia. Indonesia itself has prepared a roadmap for the implementation of Making Indonesia 4.0.

There are three main things.

First, in the era of industry 4.0, strengthening human resources is a necessity. Indonesia has a demographic bonus. By 2030, the rising number of productive age population in Indonesia will double. The challenge is to prepare human resources to face the challenges in the future, namely Big Data, Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT). I believe Germany can support the strengthening of human resources in Indonesia through the development of vocational education, strengthening research, and strengthening technology-based universities.

Second, the creation of a favorable investment climate for industry 4.0. The betterment of investment climate requires structural reforms, one of which is the ratification of the Job Creation Law. This Job Creation Law will facilitate business licenses and permits, provide legal certainty, and provide incentives. The Job Creation Law will also provide incentives for digital economy. The Job Creation Law will support the development of industry 4.0.

Third, the investment for green growth. This pandemic is a momentum to encourage green growth. According to the World Economic Forum, the potential of green economy or green growth is enormous. Business opportunity is estimated to be about USD10.1 trillion and the opportunity of new job creation is estimated to be about 395 million new jobs by 2030. In Indonesia, various breakthroughs have been made. The construction of biodiesel or green diesel from palm oil and the installation of rooftop solar power plants in the household sector. The project will create tens of thousands new jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, Indonesia is ready to contribute to future energy. As the world’s largest nickel producer, Indonesia is also developing nickel ore processing into lithium battery, which is the main component of mobile phones and electric car batteries.

The partnership between Indonesia and Germany for green growth in the future is one of the priorities. I would like to extend my appreciation to Germany’s Green Infrastructure Initiative with a value of 2,5 billion euros. This initiative is expected to support the development of green infrastructure in Indonesia.

Chancellor Merkel,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

We have to get out of crisis. We have to recover and grow stronger. I believe that Indonesia and Germany can be a close partner to get out of this pandemic as winners.

That concludes my speech.

I Thank you. (AP/MEP)