Jokowi Refuses RI To Become Foreigner Junky: BPPT Must Accelerate Technology Acquisition From Abroad

President Joko Widodo. (Photo: Presidential Secretariat Press Bureau)

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) emphasized that the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) must become a pioneer institution in accelerating technology acquisition from abroad.

According to the President, technology does not only play a role in supporting the economy through the commercialization process, but is also important in controlling the production of technology itself.

"So the acquisition of technology from abroad is the key to accelerating our economic development," he said at the 2021 BPPT National Working Meeting on Strengthening the Technology Innovation Ecosystem, which was opened symbolically at the Merdeka Palace, Jakarta, Monday, March 8.

In order to realize this, the President instructed BPPT to prepare a strategy to utilize technology from abroad to be implemented quickly in the country.

"We have to start not just buying technology anchors," he said.

For this reason, the head of state hopes that in building cooperation, it is necessary to ensure that strategic points for technology production must be in Indonesia.

“This is very important so that we don't just buy finished products, which in the end will make us unable to make this technology for decades. Please underline, we must establish technology cooperation in Indonesia that involves Indonesian technologists, so that the process of knowledge transfer and experience transfer can run," he explained.

This message was conveyed by the President not only to the Head of BPPT Hammam Riza who was present on the occasion, but also to all ranks of officials who are under his structural line.

"This order is not only for BPPT but also for the entire cabinet, especially the Coordinating Minister for Maritime Affairs and Investment, the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, the Minister of Trade, the Minister for Industry, the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises, and the Head of Indonesian Investment Coordinating Board," he explained.

"Through the market power that we have, the big market power that we have, as well as the wealth of abundant natural resources, we have strong leverage. Really think about smart ways to acquire this technology cheaply," concluded President Jokowi.