SOE Minister Invites Young Generation to Build Digital Economy in Indonesia

SOE Minister Erick Thohir encourages the younger generation to play an active role in the development of the digital economy. (VOI/Mery Handayani)

JAKARTA - SOE Minister Erick ThohirF said SOEs will continue to maximally encourage the emergence of creative talents of the younger generation. According to Erick, the state needs the younger generation to develop a knowledge base economy. So it is hoped that there will be many innovations needed by Indonesia to compete with other countries.

Furthermore, Erick said that Indonesia is projected to require as many as 17 million workers who are technology literate.

"This is needed because Indonesia's digital economy will grow to Rp. 4,500 trillion in 2030. That means that in Southeast Asia we are the king by controlling 30 percent. So you have to prepare yourself because 2030 is eight years away", he said in an official statement, quoted by Antara on Sunday, October 30.

"The young generation must develop innovation. Because it will be our strength in the future to compete", he continued.

Erick also asked students to continue to develop digital potential so that Indonesia's digital ecosystem would be built.

"If we still play foreign-made games, then there must be local games that attract our own people. Don't let our large population be used by other parties. Let's be local creators, as well as lovers of local products so that the ecosystem grows", he said.

Erick said SOEs are also committed to continuing to support the development of the digital ecosystem. Specific assignments were also given to Telkom and Telkomsel so as not to overlap.

"If Telkom is assigned to B to B affairs and digital infrastructure, such as cloud data, and fiber optics, then Telkomsel handles B to C by building content such as health, fintech, and others. So you young people must take advantage of what they have prepared the government for the future", said Erick Thohir.