Jakarta (ANTARA) - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has asked the Indonesian youth to assist in the rapid growth of Indonesia's digital economy, which is predicted to reach a value of US$146 billion by 2025.
"It is your duty, young people, to take on this role so that it (digital economy growth) does not get taken over by other countries," the President said at the 67th anniversary commemoration of Parahyangan Catholic University, accessed online from here on Monday.
He emphasized that the implementation of the digital economy has become a part of a major transformation of the Indonesian economy that is already underway, and it will not stop amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Indonesia's digital economy has grown very rapidly compared to other countries in Southeast Asia and now accounts for at least 40 percent of the digital economy in the region, he noted.
"We have eight unicorns, the most in Southeast Asia, and one decacorn," said the President. He then mentioned the names of some unicorns and decacorns in the transportation sector, online trade, and online booking services for airline tickets and hotels.
The government will continue to build infrastructure to support the transformation of the digital industry, Widodo assured.
"In 2021 the construction of the Satria 1 multifunction satellite has begun. Then, the construction of BTS in 12,500 villages and sub-districts that do not yet have 4G access has also started. There was also the farming and refarming of the radio frequency spectrum, which has been carried out to optimize 4G and 5G network quality as well as the analog switch-off program," he said.
Besides digital infrastructure, another important thing is the readiness of talent or Human Resources (HR) in the digital economy, he pointed out.
Hence, the President asked universities and other educational institutions to prepare superior human resources.
"Because without good human resources, I doubt our digital economy can develop, and we can get the results," he said.
"Then, I ask universities to develop the talents of their students. Don't limit their interest with study programs at the faculty," he added.
The President asked universities to provide opportunities to students to learn from anyone and anywhere, such as by participating in internship programs at leading industries.
"Let's learn about the industry or about banking. I heard there are Unpar students who entered the MRT (PT MRT Jakarta). I think it's very good. Learning other things outside of campus is great," he remarked.