We are pushing to become one of the big data center players in Southeast Asia.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia is bolstering its data center development so that it can become one of the key players in the ASEAN region, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Minister Erick Thohir has said.

"We are focusing on four areas, for instance, (state-owned telecommunications giant) Telkom is investing maximally to optimize our data center. We are pushing to become one of the big data center players in Southeast Asia," Thohir said at the ASEAN-Indo-Pacific Forum (AIPF) here on Tuesday.

The AIPF is being held on September 5 and 6, 2023, as part of Indonesia's ASEAN chairmanship this year. It will focus on green infrastructure and resilient supply chains, digital transformation and creative economy, and sustainable and innovative financing.

Data center development is being prioritized because of Indonesia's huge potential in the digital economy, Thohir explained.

In the future, Indonesia's digital economy is expected to become the largest in Southeast Asia, he pointed out. Therefore, he said, strengthening the national data center is important to ensure the country's readiness to become the largest digital economy in the region.

He said that the strengthening of the nation's data center is being carried out with the help of PT Dayamitra Telekomunikasi Tbk or Mitratel, which is currently the largest tower company in Southeast Asia.

Mitratel is a subsidiary of PT Telkom Indonesia and is engaged in telecommunications infrastructure.

Thohir said the strengthening effort is a form of the government's commitment to optimizing the country's market in order to make Indonesia a global player and competitor.

"The goal of SOEs for 2024–2034 is to be able to compete globally," he informed.

The government is also focusing on investing in new and renewable energy by optimizing its domestic natural resources, he added.

"We are open to large investments. We must encourage this to make economic growth a priority so that Indonesia can contribute to economic growth in Southeast Asia and also the world," Thohir said.

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Translator: Imamatul S, Kenzu
Editor: Sri Haryati
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