The research was conducted with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
"I want to emphasize the commitment of the Indonesian Government to continue to utilize the results of research and collaboration from DFS Lab, RISE Indonesia, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in formulating future policies," he said in a statement here on Thursday.
"This is expected to encourage digitalization and further financial inclusion in rural areas of Indonesia," he added.
According to the minister, the study, which involved multiple stakeholders, explored and documented the current state of the platform economy in peri-urban and rural areas of Indonesia, with a focus on digitally supported livelihoods and financial inclusion.
The study also highlighted the relationship between platform livelihoods and financial inclusion, as well as opportunities and constraints faced by rural women, as well as interventions that can be prioritized to improve gender equality in Indonesia's platform ecosystem.
In the future, it is hoped that the results of the research will become an important basis for formulating policies that support the growth of small and medium enterprises, as well as strengthening the role of digital platforms in advancing the rural economy, he said.
"In welcoming this great opportunity, we must also realize that there are also challenges in developing a platform economy, especially in rural areas and frontier, outermost, and remote regions (3T)," Hartarto said.
"These challenges include limited access to technology and internet connections, as well as a lack of understanding about the use of these platforms," he added.
Meanwhile, acting Deputy for Coordinating Macroeconomics and Finance at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs Ferry Irawan said that cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as the involvement of rural communities, will play a key role in creating an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem.
It is hoped that it can further help realize a rural Indonesia that is advanced, competitive, and just, he added.
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Translator: Bayu Saputra, Katriana
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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