"The improvement in technology should be explored because it has benefits that can be calculated, one of which is creating economic opportunities and bringing prosperity to all citizens," Brodjonegoro said here on Wednesday.
The technology can offer competitive products and services in regional and international markets and attract innovative companies and creative people to live in the country.
In 2015, as many as 93.4 million people in Indonesia were internet users and the number would continue to increase in the future.
The minister noted that social media currently plays an important role in fulfilling the aspirations of the Indonesian people.
With an open and up-to-date information network, it can drive economic growth.
"In 2017, information and communication grew by more than nine percent. Transportation and warehousing also grew more than eight percent. High growth in this sector was supported by an increase in electronic trade and start-ups," he remarked.
Based on data from the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, there are approximately 93.4 million internet users and 71 million users of smart phone devices in Indonesia.
With so many internet users, the value of business in the network or online in Indonesia reaches $12 billion.
"With the magnitude of the value of the online business, Indonesia has a great opportunity to become a new economic power in 2020," he asserted.
Member of the Indonesian Expert Council of Trade Unions Association Kun Wardana Abyoto earlier noted that the skills of workers should be upgraded in a bid to face the digital economy.
Digital technologies are reducing employment opportunities in some industries and creating new jobs.
The director of UNI Apro ICTS noted that digital technologies have reshaped business models and offered soft skills, such as information-processing, self-direction, problem-solving, and communication.
However, several people do not seem to have such skills for a digital world.
"Hence, unions should ensure that workers should have appropriate skills for the digital era," he added.
Reporting by Citro Atmoko
Editing by Aziz Kurmala, Suharto
(UU.A063/A/KR-BSR/S012) 19-09-2018 17:46:42
Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
