Indonesian Minister of Communication and Informatics, Budi Arie Setiadi, met with the United States Ambassador to Indonesia, Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir, at the ministry’s office in Jakarta on Thursday, September 26, 2024, discussing enhanced cooperation in the technology sector between both nations.
During the meeting, Ambassador Kamala reaffirmed the U.S.’s commitment to supporting Indonesia’s efforts in boosting investments in the digital sector.
Key areas of focus included data center investments, undersea cable infrastructure, satellite technology, and other telecommunication system advancements.
A critical topic highlighted during the discussion was the importance of developing human resources to sustain the growing digital economy.
Budi Arie emphasized Indonesia’s need to improve both the reach and quality of internet services across the country.
“I hope today’s meeting can be followed up with concrete actions. I am ready for future discussions with the Ambassador or American companies to further increase investments in the digital sector,” Budi Arie said in a media statement.
The Minister also noted that Indonesia’s digital economy could reach a valuation of US$360 billion by 2030, and even up to US$366 billion if fully embracing artificial intelligence (AI) technologies.
Accompanying Minister Budi Arie in the meeting were Director General of Informatics Application, Hokky Situngkir; Head of the ministry’s Center for International Institutions, Ichwan Nasution; and Special Staff to the Minister, Dedy Permadi.
The partnership underscores the importance of collaboration between Indonesia and the U.S. in fostering digital infrastructure, which is crucial for Indonesia’s ongoing digital transformation and economic growth.
