Multi-party Collaboration Increases Digitalization In Rural Areas

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said multi-party collaboration could contribute to increasing digitalization and financial inclusion in rural areas of Indonesia.

For this reason, Coordinating Minister Airlangga expressed his appreciation for the research conducted by DFS Lab and RISE Indonesia with the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

"I want to emphasize the commitment of the Government of Indonesia to continue to take advantage of the results of research and collaboration from DFS Lab, ISE Indonesia, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in the process of formulating future policies which are expected to encourage further digitalization and financial inclusion in rural areas of Indonesia," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga as quoted by Antara, Thursday, July 27.

The study involving multi-party parties explored and documented the economic conditions of platforms in Indonesia's urban and rural areas today, focusing on digitally supported livelihoods and financial inclusion.

The study also highlighted the relationship between livelihoods through financial platforms and inclusion, as well as opportunities and obstacles faced by rural women, as well as interventions that can be prioritized to improve gender equality in the Indonesian platform ecosystem.

In the future, the results of this study are expected to be an important basis in formulating policies that support the growth of small and medium enterprises, as well as strengthening the role of digital platforms in advancing the rural economy.

"In welcoming this opportunity, we must also realize that there are also challenges in developing the platform's economy, especially in rural areas and 3T areas. These challenges include access to limited internet technology and connections, as well as a lack of understanding of the use of these platforms," said Airlangga.

On the same occasion, Acting Deputy for Macroeconomic Coordination and Finance of the Coordinating Ministry for the Economy Ferry Irawan also said that cooperation between the public and private sectors, as well as the involvement of rural communities as main partners, plays a key role in creating an inclusive and sustainable ecosystem so that it can create an advanced, competitive and just Indonesian rural area.