Experts Say Four Main Focuses To Strengthen Digitalization In Indonesia

JAKARTA - Although the digital sector is experiencing a 'pair tide' in the midst of global challenges such as rising interest rates and higher funding requirements, Indonesia's digitalization continues to grow rapidly and has the potential to reach the golden digital era.

Along with Indonesia's digital development, East Ventures continues to encourage digital startups to focus on business fundamentals to create uniqueness and minimize competition, as well as wiser (prudent) in managing the company's finances. In addition, collaboration and synergy between stakeholders are very important in achieving digital justice for all Indonesian people.

The statement was made by David Fernando Audy, Operating Partner East Ventures, during a discussion session at the launch of the 4th edition of the 2023 East Ventures Digital Competitiveness Index (EV-DCI), together with Katadata Insight Center and PwC Indonesia in April.

In the panel discussion, Adek Media Roza, Director of Katadata Insight Center highlighted changes in people's lifestyles, where people are increasingly accustomed to doing digital activities, such as making payments with digital wallets (e-wallet).

The level of trust in digital applications is getting higher, the public has now made payments on digital platforms without having to go to ATMs or minimarkets.

In line with that, PwC Indonesia's Partner and Next Level Leader, Radju Munusamy said that digitalization is a mega trend that brings together all aspects of technology such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Big Data.

Well, to encourage digital justice for all Indonesian people, Ninasapti Triaswati, University of Indonesia economist emphasized that there are three aspects that are the task of stakeholders, namely: the need for government regulation and supervision, especially on security; incentives for entrepreneurs; and building awareness and community involvement.

Every stakeholder needs each other, so that collaboration between the government, entrepreneurs, and society is the key to creating a sustainable digital ecosystem that is beneficial to everyone.

Summarizing all these opinions, the panelists agreed that there are four focus areas to strengthen this digital economy, namely:

Digital equity is needed to continue to create equal business opportunities for all business actors in all corners of Indonesia, especially for MSMEs. Strengthening business fundamentals is needed in facing increasingly high market challenges," said David in a statement received Tuesday, May 2.

Therefore, David thinks that collaboration between stakeholders is obliged to be carried out to support each other in achieving greater goals.