President Jokowi Pushes for Economy Based on Innovation, Technology

President Jokowi at the 2021 National Work Meeting of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) on the Reinforcement of Technology Innovation Ecosystem at the State Palace in Jakarta, Monday (08/03/2021) morning. (Photo: Press Bureau of Presidential Secretariat/Muchlis Jr)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has encouraged economy based on innovation and technology.

“We must shift from commodity-based economy to economy based on innovation and technology,” the President said at the inauguration of the 2021 National Work Meeting of the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) on the Reinforcement of Technology Innovation Ecosystem aired on the YouTube channel of Cabinet Secretariat.

According to the President, Indonesia is gifted with abundant natural resources that must be preserved and used for public welfare; thus, technological mastery is a must to leverage the resources.

“We must be grateful for God’s endowment in the form of abundant natural resources. We must preserve and utilize it wisely for public welfare, for our welfare. However, without technological mastery and utilization, the endowment will not bring optimal benefits for the people,” he said.

The President also underscored that Indonesia must improve its capacity as technology producers as well as enhance national technological sovereignty.

“Indonesian researchers, innovators, and manufacturers must join hands to develop future technology, technology based on the fourth industrial revolution, green technology that is environmentally friendly, technology that makes our people prosper,” he said.

Furthermore, the Head of State expressed hope that the BPPT can be the brain of innovation and technology-based technology.

“It is my hope that the BPPT can be an extraordinary agency that continues to discover new methods, innovative and creative methods, that creates real work, that contributes to the national advancement,” he remarked.

Also attending the event were Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, Minister of Technology and Research / Head of the National Research and Innovation Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro and Head of the BPPT Hammam Riza. (FID/UN) (DH/EP)