Discussing Strengthening the Digital Economy to Support for Indonesia's Chair in ASEAN 2023, Coordinating Minister Airlangga Meets Minister of Export of the United Kingdom

Thepresidentpost.id - The government continues to make efforts to improve bilateral cooperation relations with various countries to support the national economy, one of which is with the UK which can become a bridge for wider market access in Europe.

In a meeting with the Export Minister of the United Kingdom Andrew Bowie MP, Wednesday (1/02), the Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto said that one of the priorities of Indonesia's Chair in ASEAN this year was strengthening the digitalization of the economy where Indonesia itself was awarded a sizable demographic bonus. and this needs to be aligned with digital growth that continues to increase.

"For this reason, collaboration in the field of education is considered very important ( digital talent ). Moreover, as we all know, educational institutions in England have the excellence and quality of education that is recognized by the world. Indonesia also appreciates the step taken by King's College London which has agreed to establish and enhance cooperation in Indonesia," said the Coordinating Minister for the Economy.

The Coordinating Minister for Airlangga also explained several potential deliverables during Indonesia's chairmanship of ASEAN 2023 which included sustainability, digitalization, e-commerce facilitation , and strengthening small and medium enterprises in the ASEAN region.

Furthermore, on this occasion both parties expressed satisfaction with the progress that had been achieved in the cooperation scheme through the Indonesia - UK Co-Chairmanship in the Forest, Agriculture and Commodity Trade (FACT) Dialogue and the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

The UK itself has an important role in pushing for recognition of sustainability standardization for a number of Indonesia's leading commodities in the forestry, agriculture and chemical products sectors. In this regard, Minister Bowie stressed the UK's readiness to continue assisting Indonesia in efforts to promote market access as well as the acceptance and recognition of Indonesia's sustainability standards , especially by the European Union. He added that the UK is ready to become a bridge or hub for wider market access in Europe.

In addition, Indonesia has plans to develop new and renewable energy, including solar panels, and even nuclear energy, including a small modular nuclear reactor which is still in the development or research stage. It is hoped that the UK can help Indonesia implement the plan by sharing its expertise and technology. The bilateral cooperation program between the two countries in the context of developing green energy that is currently underway is the MENTARI (Towards Indonesia's Low Carbon Energy Transition) program.

"The UK is also ready to assist Indonesia in cooperation in the new and renewable energy sector, including investing and transferring technology to Indonesia," said Minister Bowie.

Minister Bowie also said that Britain would continue to support Indonesia's steps to provide environmentally friendly and affordable energy to reduce dependence on fossil fuels .

It is believed that the investment cooperation agreement that has been established will encourage more British investment to enter Indonesia. The UK is planning to make funding and investment with significant value to Indonesia in several potential sectors. The UK also provides concrete support to Indonesia's ASEAN Chair for economic pillars, especially in the strategic sector.

At the end of the meeting, Coordinating Minister Airlangga said that the Indonesian government is currently focused on achieving political stability. "Political stability is very important for maintaining economic development and achieving people's welfare in Indonesia," concluded the Coordinating Minister for Airlangga.

Also present at the meeting were the Ambassador of the United Kingdom to Indonesia and Timor Leste, the Deputy for Coordination of International Economic Cooperation, the Expert Staff for Regulation, Law Enforcement and Economic Resilience, and the Assistant Deputy for European, African and Middle Eastern Economic Cooperation.