Digital Economy Must Create New Jobs: President Jokowi

President Jokowi accompanied by ministers talks at the Indonesia Digital Economy Summit 2020, Thursday (27/2), in Ritz Carlton Pacific Place, Jakarta. (Photo by: Rahmat/PR)

Indonesia should not only become a market or a spectator of the progress of digital economy, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo said.

“Digital economy must also create new jobs and boost exports. It must also increase our foreign exchange reserves,” the President said in his keynote speech at the Indonesia Digital Economy Summit 2020, Thursday (27/2), at Ritz Carlton Pacific Place, Jakarta.

The President also expressed hope that digital economy can further narrow down the country’s trade balance deficit and current account deficit. According to him, it is also important that the development of the digital economy can trigger the marketing of domestic products.

“The marketing of micro, small, and medium businesses is important. Thus, our digital economy must enable domestic production – instead of imported goods – to be available in our marketplaces,” he said.

All stakeholders, the President added, must work hard to become producers to bring a wide and positive impact on society.

“I’ve seen a lot of startup initiatives, entrepreneurial initiatives, social entrepreneurship based on digital technology. This is the strength that we must build over time,” the President.

Apart from need to increase the quantity and the scale, the President also pointed out that digital economy must make a significant contribution to the welfare of society, raise the class of micro and small businesses, market premium products, as well as create new jobs.

“Digital products must also contribute to solving crucial problems in our society, for example, by improving access to education for the underprivileged and those living remote areas,” the President said, adding that digital economy must also provide funding for micro and small businesses, including crowdfunding for social assistance.

To that end, the Government, the President added, will continue to work hard to improve ecosystem of the country’s digital economy, facilitate funding sources and mentoring, facilitate ecosystem of cooperation with world investment institutions and relaxed regulation and bureaucracy.

“We had a meeting with Microsoft this morning regarding data center and I told them we will finish the required regulations in no more than one week,” the President said.

On the occasion, the President also called on the attendees at the event, business players, as well as innovators to play their roles in the growth of Indonesia’ digital economy.

“The opportunities are wide open, including in the development of Indonesia’s new capital in East Kalimantan,” the President said, adding that it is expected that the new system to be adopted in the new capital will enable the Government to work faster and adapt to existing changes.

A new economic base, which is based on science and technology and innovation, including the shifting from analog to digital,  is also to be built, the President said.

This framework will drive the leap of progress in Indonesia, from analog to digital, including in the government offices, he added.

“I always tell this to ministers, including to have a digital logic mindset and culture. Thus, I’d like to invite you all and the world technology industry to take part in this transformation,” the President said.

The President also reiterated that the new capital will adopt a Green City, Smart City, and Compact City slogan with good spatial planning and transportation fully involves electric vehicle (EV).

For the record, President Jokowi in August last year announced that two regencies in East Kalimantan are to be the site of Indonesia’s new capital city. The new capital will be built in part of North Penajam Paser regency and part of Kutai Kertanegara regency in East Kalimantan province. (FID/EN)

Translated by: Muhardi

Reviewed by: M. Ersan Pamungkas