Coordinating Minister Airlangga: Creative, Adaptive And Innovative Young People Must Continue To Be Developed To Have Competitiveness

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

JAKARTA - Indonesia's economic growth which was able to grow positively by 3.51 percent (yoy) in the third quarter of 2021 could not be separated from the contribution of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) activists who remained resilient during crisis periods. As the backbone of Indonesia's economic development, MSMEs contribute greatly to GDP up to 61 percent and are able to absorb labor by 97 percent.

The government continues to strive to support MSMEs to develop by expanding access to financing and capital so that they can advance to class and encouraging MSME actors to be on board to digital platforms, one of which is through the Proudly Made Indonesia National Movement Program (Gernas BBI).

On the other hand, the younger generation has an important role in building the national economy. The majority of Indonesia's population is Generation Z aged 8 to 23 years with a portion of 27.94 percent of the total population who have a high level of digital adoption and understanding in the financial sector.

"The characteristics of young people who are creative, adaptive and innovative must continue to be developed in order to be competitive in entering the industrial revolution 4.0 and the digital economy," said Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto at the "The Bridge Conference 2021" organized by The Meeting of Minds Forum. with the theme "Indonesia Economic Rebound For A Stronger Future" online, Saturday 13 November.

Indonesia is estimated to need 9 million digital talents for the next 15 years. In addition, workers with digital skills have the potential to contribute IDR 4.434 trillion to Indonesia's GDP in 2030 or 16 percent of total GDP. The magnitude of these values, must be used for the benefit of the wider community.

In 2030, Indonesia is projected to enter the demographic bonus where the productive workforce reaches 64 percent of the total population. Technology-based and digitalization-based industries are expected to become new engines of growth that require talented human resources and competitive technopreneurs. In order to obtain optimal benefits from these conditions, this potential must be balanced with increased productivity and quality of education.

"The government hopes that this opportunity can be used by young people to optimize creativity, innovation, and be an inspiration and explore their potential to increase knowledge and skills," said Coordinating Minister Airlangga.

At the end of his remarks, Coordinating Minister Airlangga expressed his hope that this activity can help create a reliable, adaptive, and innovative young generation who can play an active role in promoting national economic growth and improving the welfare of the Indonesian people.