Jakarta (ANTARA News) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) meeting in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, on Saturday (Nov 17).

Deputy of Protocol, Press, and Media of the Presidential Secretariat Bey Machmudin noted in a statement received in Jakarta on Sunday that the meeting was held under the theme of "Inclusion in the Age of Disruption: Charting a Common Future," with focus on trade, global economy, and digital economy.

President Jokowi joined the breakout group with three leaders: Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyn Xu?n Ph?c, and Founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Morris Chang.

They met with business representatives from all four countries and were moderated by Richard Cantor from the United States. Indonesian Anindya Bakrie, the chairperson of ABAC Indonesia, was also present.

"Dialog between country leaders and business people is usually about the policy plan and would be carried out (by the governments)," Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said.

During the meeting, President Jokowi discussed Indonesia`s efforts to advance the digital economy, according to Foreign Ministry`s Director of Asia Pacific and Africa Interregional and Intraregional Cooperation Andre Omer Siregar.

In addition, the president conveyed three other areas that need intervention: the issue of trade conflicts that can harm the people, the need for motivation for digital entrepreneurs, as well as the important role of youngsters and women in advancing the digital economy across APEC nations.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese prime minister highlighted the importance of regional trade cooperation, such as the achievement of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership in ASEAN, and conveyed Indonesia`s important role in trade in the bloc.

Australian PM Morrison noted the important role of open trade and embraced each party to encourage trade liberalization. He also lauded Indonesia`s role in organizing the IMF-World Bank Annual Forum.

Morrison also reminded that digital economy was not "wild west" and must be regulated to prevent cybercrime.

Morris Chang, as Taiwan`s special envoy, underlined the need for the government to understand digital technology, artificial intelligence, and the habits of youngsters in formulating digital economic policies.

Reporting by Agus Salim
Editing by Yashinta Difa Pramudyani, fardah

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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