It must be regarded as an opportunity as well as a challenge for all stakeholders to establish an effective, innovative, inclusive, sustainable, and safe digital financial ecosystem.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Vice President Ma'ruf Amin on Wednesday said that the digital divide is among the issues in Southeast Asia that need to be jointly and promptly addressed by ASEAN member countries.

At the Leader's Insight session of the 2023 Indonesia Digital Finance and Economy Festival (FEKDI), he observed that, as the chair of ASEAN 2023, Indonesia is encouraging the region to become an epicenter of global growth.

Therefore, Indonesia is seeking to realize ASEAN economic integration and transform Southeast Asia into a digital region, he added.

The attempt is aimed at obtaining optimal benefits from digitalization for regional economic growth, such as increasing business opportunities, product and service quality, productivity, efficiency, and competitiveness, he said.

Thus, several collaborations between ASEAN member countries are being encouraged to bolster digital economy and finance, hence the digital divide must be bridged, the Vice President emphasized.

He said that the Indonesian government has strived to develop its own national digital economy and finance by improving digital infrastructure; establishing digital development supporting laws and regulations, such as the 2021–2024 Digital Indonesia Road Map; and increasing digital education and literacy.

"The government of Indonesia realizes that the digital sector is complex, quickly changes, and often raises new issues,” he noted.

Hence, the government is trying to sustainably produce quality digital talents to keep pace with the developments in the digital sector, Amin said.

"I also hope that all ASEAN collaboration attempts can improve digital talents in every ASEAN member country," he added.

The COVID-19 outbreak became a catalyst for digital transformation, which disrupted economic and financial transactions, he noted.

The community activity restrictions during the outbreak led to people shifting from conventional to digital financial transactions, the Vice President added.

"Considering the benefits of the digital financial sector, public interest continues to increase in this service. It must be regarded as an opportunity as well as a challenge for all stakeholders to establish an effective, innovative, inclusive, sustainable, and safe digital financial ecosystem," he remarked.

He also asked all stakeholders to increase the accessibility and affordability of digital financial services so they can reach all people throughout Indonesia; improve financial inclusion; as well as encourage a strong, sustainable, and equitable national economic recovery.

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Translator: Rangga Jingga, Uyu Liman
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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