“The DEWG elevation is right on time since it is in line with the growth of the digital economy in Indonesia. Based on the World Bank's 2021 report, Indonesia is among the top five countries in the world, with the highest usage rate," Hartarto noted in his statement received on Thursday.
The minister remarked that on average, Indonesians spent 80 percent of their time on the internet for communication, surfing social media platforms, or for other activities.
During Indonesia's Presidency in G20, the Ministry of Communication and Informatics has played an important role in streamlining discussions on digital-based economic transformation issues at the Working Groups and Engagement Groups.
The Ministry of Communication and Informatics, as the focal point at the DEWG G20 2022 meeting, brought up three priority issues: Connectivity and Post-COVID-19 Recovery, Digital Skills and Digital Literacy, and Cross-Border Data Flow and Data Free Flow with Trust.
"The selection of priority issues related to data must also be done intelligently since data will become an important commodity for information and decisions," Hartarto noted.
Hence, data management must be structured to become safe and useful. Data mastery must also adhere to the strong principle for a better life and not to dominate the weak, he emphasized.
Furthermore, he emphasized that there were opportunities that can be optimized by increasing the use of the internet to be more productive for the community.
Related news: G20 Digital Economy Working Group must outline deliverables: Hartarto
Supported by the acceleration of equitable access to digital infrastructure including increased investment in the 5G sector, improved digital ecosystem governance policies, and the development of digital skills and literacy done collaboratively by the government, industry players, and the community, Indonesia can realize the digital economy's potential.
However, Hartarto accentuated the need for breakthroughs to still be made as a precautionary measure against unemployment due to changes in the digital business process.
"I support DEWG's role in encouraging the formation of concrete deliverables that are inclusive, community-empowering, and sustainable as an intensification of global collaboration for a resilient economic recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic," he noted.
Related news: G20: Marsudi highlights three global digital economy cooperation modes
Translator: Kuntum Khaira R, Resinta S
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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