Erick Thohir Says Indonesia Needs 17.5 Million Digital Experts By 2035: It Must Be Filled With The Children Of The Nation, Not From Other Countries

Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Ministry of SOEs)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick Thohir revealed that Indonesia needs 17.5 million digital experts by 2035.

"This is what is called digital, it is inevitable, we need 17.5 million digital experts until 2035," said Erick Thohir when delivering a speech at the State Islamic University of Sunan Ampel Surabaya as monitored online, quoted from Antara, Sunday 12 December.

According to the Minister of SOEs, this opportunity must be filled by the sons and daughters of the Indonesian nation, lest other nations fill this opportunity later.

"Especially if we benchmark between the United States, China, and Indonesia, the number of Indonesian startups will continue to grow. This is an opportunity," he said.

Previously, the Minister of SOEs, Erick Thohir, said that his party encourages and facilitates the development of the digital industry in Indonesia comprehensively.

Erick wants Telkom to massively open data centers in Indonesia to support the business activities of local entrepreneurs.

Regarding funding, with the existence of BRI Ventures, Mandiri Capital, MDI, and TMI, Erick Thohir will also begin to focus on funding for startups.

The Minister of SOEs continues to encourage the younger generation to own large companies that become new unicorns. According to him, the potential is there and currently, Indonesia has five unicorns, which should be 25 unicorns in the next few years.

This is in order to encourage companies to become big, create massive job opportunities, and also encourage the Indonesian economy to ensure that Indonesia is also protected by digitalization. If you look at the company's position in Indonesia from year to year, that's all.

Meanwhile, countries in the world such as the United States and many other countries are now growing technology companies to become big, so they are not based on natural resources alone.