"Papua has the potential to develop as a connectivity and digital ecosystem center in the Asia-Pacific region," Deputy Minister Angga Raka Prabowo stated after inaugurating the Pukpuk Cable on Friday.
The deputy minister stated that digital connectivity development must not be concentrated in urban areas but should also expand to strategic yet underdeveloped regions such as Papua and Eastern Indonesia in general.
He added that its expansion would open up new economic opportunities and accessibility in the region while ensuring more equitable development across the nation.
“The Pukpuk Cable in the Asia-Pacific region not only strengthens Papua’s digital access, but also enhances the resilience and diversity of Indonesia’s international connectivity network,” Prabowo said.
The deputy minister also said that digital infrastructure development must take place sustainably and in concert with national priorities "to create healthy growth and benefit for the people."
Moreover digital connectivity has become an imperative in pushing the competitiveness of the nation at the regional and global level he added.
The ministry commended the success of the Pukpuk undersea cable development which has been initiated since 2016 through sectoral collaboration between central and regional governments as well as state-owned enterprises and industry.
"Digital infrastructure development is part of the national strategic agenda consistent with President Prabowo Subianto's priorities in encouraging digital transformation and development equity throughout Indonesia," he remarked.
The Pukpuk Cable is an undersea cable that connects Papua from Jayapura City to neighboring Papua New Guinea while serving as a new digital backbone corridor for the region.
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Translator: Qadri Pratiwi, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Arie Novarina
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