"The digital economy is one way for us to leap because we are on a level playing field with other countries. With a conventional economy, we have to compete from the same zero point, but our digital economy can leap," he stated during the Indonesian Chamber and Commerce and Industry (Kadin) national leadership meeting here on Sunday (Dec 1).
He admitted that in 2024-2025, the world economic growth is not good, hovering still at 3.2 percent. However, Indonesia's average is still five percent, and inflation is still at 1.7 percent.
Meanwhile, the minister noted that the value of the digital economy in Indonesia currently reaches around USD90 billion, while next year, it is expected to increase to USD120 billion and even projected to be valued at USD400 billion in 2030.
Among Asian countries, Indonesia stands at the forefront of digital economy development, and in 2023, the nation demonstrated its leadership within ASEAN by pushing the Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA).
"Among ASEAN countries, one of the leading countries in developing the digital economy is Indonesia,” Airlangga affirmed.
The minister highlighted Indonesia's vibrant startup ecosystem, which boasts over 2,400 startups. Among these, two have achieved decacorn status, valued at more than USD10 billion, while more than 10 have reached unicorn status with valuations exceeding USD1 billion.
"And in Indonesia's leadership, we are pushing what is called the Digital Economy Framework Agreement as a digital-based economic cooperation," he noted.
According to Airlangga, ASEAN is the first region in the world to raise the issue of digital economy into multilateral cooperation, surpassing large organizations such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) or the European Union.
"There is no other part of the world or multilateral cooperation that has raised digital like ASEAN countries. Not even the EU, not in NAFTA, not even at the OECD," he remarked.
Hence, during the OECD ministerial meeting last year, Airlangga conveyed the vision of the Digital Economy Framework, which received special attention from OECD members keen on learning from ASEAN's experience.
He affirmed that with the implementation of the Digital Economy Framework Agreement, the ASEAN digital economy can increase to USD2 trillion in 2030—in which USD600 billion to USD800 billion will benefit Indonesia.
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Translator: Muhammad Harianto, Yashinta Difa
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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