Remarks of President of the Republic of Indonesia at the Commemoration of the 26th Anniversary of the National Technology Awakening Day, 10 August 2021 from the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta
Bismillahirrahmanirrahim.
Assalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
May peace be upon us all,
Om Swastiastu,
Namo Buddhaya,
Greetings of virtue.
Distinguished Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia;
Distinguished Chairperson of the Steering Committee and its membersof the BRIN (the National Agency for Research and Innovation);
Distinguished Ministers of the Indonesia Onward Cabinet;
Distinguished heads of Government institutions;
Distinguished Head of BRIN and its officials, heads of institutions and agencies;
Honorable Ambassadors of friendly countries;
Distinguished President Directors of State-owned Enterprises, industrial sector, and association;
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Although we are now focusing on the handling of COVID-19, particularly the Delta Variant, we also must carry out structural reforms for the advancement of Indonesia in the future. One of the Government’s pillars is the downstream policy of domestic industry.
We should not only utilize our abundant natural resources but we also increase added value and open more job opportunity through development of downstream industry. The key is technology. We have considerable opportunity to develop industry from the upstream to the downstream.
For instance, nickel mining. We have developed mining industry yet we should do more. We must also develop the downstream industry, from lithium battery industry to electric car manufacturing industry. As we improve the domestic supply chains, it will bring more value added to the people, the nation, and the country.
The key for all of these is technology, particularly technology for the future. Everything will lead to the green technology, global market will refer to green products, which is defined as low carbon, resource efficient, and socially inclusive. The same condition goes by digital technology. Once again, the key is technology.
We also make efforts to improve the MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises). The Government continues to improve MSMEs’ access to financial services, as well as to reskill and upskill the MSMEs workers. But it is not enough, upskilling of MSMEs in all sectors including agricultural sector requires relevant technology. Once again, the key is technology.
Therefore, the momentum to commemorate the National Technology Awakening Day must be seized for the development of our national technology. Not to mention that this momentum is coincided with the founding of the BRIN (National Agency for Research and Innovation). This is a momentum to speed up the strengthening of our technological sovereignty and encourage Indonesia to become a technology producing country.
Distinguished Ladies and Gentlemen,
Indonesia has thousands of researchers, innovators, and world-class research diaspora as our huge potentials that must be consolidated.
For that reasons, I order the BRIN to, first, make immediate efforts to consolidate and integrate the strength of national research and innovation. The BRIN must also implement and industrialize innovations and technologies from the researchers and innovators.
Second, the BRIN must also initiate acquisition process of state-of-the-art technologies required by the country and develop it. It could be a technology that we needed but have not be produced in the country. The BRIN must prepare a fast and accurate acquisition strategy. We must not stay as a technology consumer, we must become a technology producing country and achieve technology sovereignty.
I believe that Indonesia’s large market and abundant natural resources serve as strong leverages to negotiate. Do find excellent ways to make acquisition at affordable price and make Indonesia a self-sufficient technology producing country.
Third, in this digital age, the BRIN has the advantages to become the center for intelligence and technology development in Indonesia. The BRIN must be able to synergize human resources, infrastructures, programs and funding into our great strength to create concrete results that can improve people’s welfare. BRIN should immediately synergize all potentials, strength, researchers be it at government of private institutions, start-ups in technology, talents, diaspora, and young generation.
Last, allow me to wish a happy 26th Anniversary of the National Technology Awakening Day. Let us join hands to consolidate the national potentials so that Indonesia can be a technology producing country for the resilient Indonesia, developed Indonesia, and advancing Indonesia.
I thank you.
Wassalamu’alaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh.
Om santi santi santi om. (RAS/LW)