President Jokowi Welcomes Microsoft Representatives at Merdeka Palace

President Jokowi receives Microsoft delegation at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Tuesday (04/30). (Photo by: BPMI Presidential Secretariat/Vico)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo Tuesday (04/30) received the CEO of the United States multinational corporation and technology company Microsoft and delegates at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta.

“The meeting discussed human capital development and establishment of a joint research center between Microsoft and the Indonesian Government, especially in the formation of digital talent, mainly in the field of AI,” Minister of Communications and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi said after the meeting.

According to Budi, Microsoft has the Asia Pacific Research and Development Center and President Jokowi expressed hope that the tech company can build a similar center in the country.

“They are welcome to choose the site, be it at the Nusantara Capital, Bali, or elsewhere,” Budi said, adding that the meeting also discussed the development of AI technology in agriculture and fisheries in the country to boost the nation’s progress to become a developed country.

In the meantime, President Director of Microsoft Indonesia Dharma Simorangkir stated that the meeting also discussed Microsoft’s commitment to business development and technology investment in the country.

“Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has met with the President to convey his commitment to Microsoft’s business development and technology investment in Indonesia. We will also follow up on President Jokowi’s hopes for research development in Indonesia,” Dharma said. (BPMI of Presidential Secretariat/AIT) (GWH/MUR)