Indonesia calls for increased digitalisation for economic recovery

Indonesian communication and informatics minister Johnny G Plate said, “The COVID-19 pandemic has sparked a momentum to accelerate the digitalisation in many parts of the world, including in Indonesia and ASEAN. 

“Indonesia has taken steps to maximise its digital potential through digital transformation initiatives in strategic sectors, namely infrastructure development, technology adoption, digital talent improvement, and the creation of fundamental regulation,” he said. 

He added that digitalisation had enabled micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), especially the ultra-micro businesses in the country, to stay productive and stay afloat during the pandemic. 

In the second half of 2020, Indonesia had digitally onboarded 3.4 million MSMEs through its flagship programme “Bangga Buatan Indonesia”, resulting in 10 million MSMEs being successfully digitalised.  

“By 2024, it is expected that there will be more than 30 million MSMEs out of the total 60 million MSMEs in Indonesia that will go digital,” he said. 

Besides helping businesses, digital technologies also played a key role in facilitating an efficient vaccination programme in the country, where there are about 181.5 million recipients out of its 270 million population. 

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“The government utilises a comprehensive Satu Data Vaksin COVID-19 or the One Data Digital System for Vaccination, which provides an integrated platform to handle vaccination management – from the vaccine registration, vaccine distribution, to certificate issuance for recipients,” the minister said. 

Plate was speaking at the plenary session of the inaugural ASEAN Digital Ministers’ Meeting (ADGMIN1) held virtually, according to Bernama.