Menko Airlangga Shares Experience in Driving Indonesias Digital Economy with Kartu Prakerja at The 80th Session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific

Jakarta, INTI - The Covid-19 pandemic has proven that the emergence of various digital innovations in healthcare, education, governance, and employment can be game-changers amid community mobility limitations. Welcoming this positive change, the Government strives to accelerate and expand reliable and universal digital infrastructure, ensuring everyone has access to skills development in the digital era.

The Indonesian Government continues to promote digital innovation and accelerate the development of the digital economy as a strategic pillar for Indonesia's transformation towards a more advanced economy. This was conveyed by Minister of Economic Affairs Coordination Airlangga Hartarto virtually when sharing Indonesia's experience in the digital economy and the role of digitalization in achieving sustainable development in the High-Level Thematic Roundtable on Digital Innovations for Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, part of the 80th session of the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, on Tuesday (23/04).

"Indonesia is focused on realizing a productive, advanced, and high-value-added business ecosystem through the digitalization of priority economic sectors. This includes a special focus on empowering MSMEs and technology startups as well as stronger cybersecurity," said Menko Airlangga.

To prepare for this future ecosystem, Menko Airlangga stated that Indonesia is strengthening its commitment to comprehensive research and development (R&D) and technological innovation. The Government has also launched the White Paper on Digital Economic Development 2030, a multi-stakeholder strategy involving institutions, associations, academia, and industry to determine the direction of future digital journeys.

Indonesia is also collaborating to promote financial inclusion through partnerships with relevant authorities to provide better access to financial services for all segments of society. To support these efforts, the Government is also refining regulations, policies, and governance to ensure a healthy and fair digital economy, with consumer protection and national security efforts.

"In terms of human capital, Indonesia leverages digital innovation by developing the Kartu Prakerja Program, an extraordinary G-to-P platform. The Kartu Prakerja Program is a competency development program aimed at improving job skills and entrepreneurship skills for job seekers, those already employed and looking to enhance their skills or competencies, and those affected by layoffs, including MSME actors," explained Menko Airlangga.

Furthermore, Menko Airlangga stated that during the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kartu Prakerja Program had a dual mission to improve competencies and secure purchasing power for communities affected by the pandemic. The Kartu Prakerja Program is a concrete example of how digital innovation helps the government achieve the SDGs by promoting productive employment and decent work. The Kartu Prakerja Program also reinforces other SDG targets such as quality education and lifelong learning opportunities, gender equality and women's empowerment, and poverty alleviation.

"The Kartu Prakerja Program has been a great success, benefiting 18.7 million Indonesians in 514 Districts/Cities in 38 Provinces, with 51% female participants, 12% participants aged over 50, and 3% participants with disabilities," said Menko Airlangga.

In conclusion, Menko Airlangga expressed gratitude for the opportunity for Indonesia to share its experience in the digital economy and its role in achieving sustainable development. Menko Airlangga also mentioned that the forum was an appropriate platform to strengthen Indonesia's sustainable commitments in promoting and developing digital innovations to achieve global sustainable development.