Syarief Hasan: Young Generation Must Be Innovative Amid Government Efforts To Get Out Of Economic Contraction

JAKARTA - Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly, Syarief Hasan, said that amidst the weakening of the Indonesian economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic, demand remains high. According to him, the Indonesian people are still "thirsty" in terms of consumption, and this momentum should really be used by the younger generation to find a niche in the midst of high demand in the country.

"This young generation, in order to take advantage of the existing momentum to become a creative, innovative person to create any product, especially how to meet existing demand," said Syarief in a webinar held by Telecommunication and Information Accessibility Agency of Communication and Information Ministry (Bakti Kominfo), Saturday, March 13.

Syarief said that the Indonesian government is indeed trying to boost consumption in order to stimulate economic growth. On the other hand, people's behavior or habits in terms of consumption of goods and services actually cannot be changed.

"Those are the real actors who can drive economic growth amid the COVID-19 pandemic," said Syarief.

This of course, said Syarief, should be able to be used by the younger generation or society, in general, to be able to meet the needs of consumers. The younger generation can create any product, which can be consumed by the community.

"Now, if these two points can be met, then there will be a market, which will make this economy grow. Of course, the implications are many, besides the economy will grow, the millennial generation who tries to create any product will directly absorb labor," said Syarief.

On the same occasion, Professor of Communication from Airlangga University, Henri Subiakto said, the use of information and communication technology as a medium for doing business is very important. Trading using e-commerce, according to him, will provide its own convenience because it is more efficient and can reach anywhere.

"With the development of technology which is now rapidly developing in terms of the use of digital technology, social media has become a digital activity arena that is mostly used by the community, especially teenagers and millennials or even younger children. Now 196.7 million people use social media," he said.