New Opportunities, Erick Thohir Predicts Indonesia's Digital Economy In 2030 To Reach IDR 4,300 Trillion

SOE Minister Erick Thohir. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (BUMN) Erick Thohir said that the digital economy is a new opportunity for Indonesia. He predicts that Indonesia's digital economy will continue to grow, it could even grow eight times faster than its gross domestic product (GDP).

Erick said that the contribution of Indonesia's digital economy to GDP is currently around 4 percent. It is projected that by 2030 it will be 18 percent.

"This is extraordinary. We will have IDR 4,300 trillion in 2030. This is a potential that we must really defend, in addition to our natural resources," he said during the CNBC Indonesia Economic Outlook, Tuesday, March 22.

In fact, Erick also said that Indonesia's digital economy has the potential to grow higher than other ASEAN countries. This growth is seen in terms of Gross Merchandise Value (GMV).

"If we look at it, we are also the largest in Southeast Asia and will continue to grow. But this is in terms of the market. This means that investment innovation in startups must begin to be balanced with Indonesia. So that Indonesia is not only a market," he said.

Therefore, said Erick, it is very important if Indonesia has its own roadmap. Not depending on the roadmaps of other countries, both China and the United States. This is to ensure growth and job creation in Indonesia.

"We are not anti-foreigners. But it is very important for us that Indonesia must have an Indonesia roadmap, not a China roadmap, not an American roadmap, but an Indonesian roadmap that ensures growth, job creation, investment in Indonesia," he said.