President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo emphasized the importance of Indonesia’s transformation from a consumer to a producer in global technology industry. The president conveyed the message as he inaugurated the Indonesia Digital Test House (IDTH) at the Telecommunication Device Testing Center (BBPPT) in Depok City, West Java on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
The inauguration marked a step forward in national efforts to increase local capacity in technology development.
In his remarks, President Jokowi expressed concern over the dominance of imports in technological devices in Indonesia, with the value of imports reaching more than Rp30 trillion (US$1.86 billion).
“We must not just be spectators … we must not just be a market … we must become players, become producers,” the president said.
Furthermore, the president highlighted the low participation of local suppliers in the global supply chain. He cited that only two of Apple’s 320 global suppliers are from Indonesia, far below other ASEAN countries such as the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand, and Vietnam.
“There are 17 suppliers from the Philippines, 19 suppliers from Malaysia, 24 suppliers from Thailand, and 72 suppliers from Vietnam. In ASEAN, our GDP is the largest, 46 percent of ASEAN’s GDP is in Indonesia. But we only have two suppliers,” he said.
IDTH is expected to be a catalyst in changing that paradigm. As an international standard device testing facility, IDTH is the largest and most comprehensive in Southeast Asia. With an investment approaching Rp1 trillion, the facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to test various digital devices ranging from laptops to radars.
“All digital devices are tested in this place, before being marketed, they are tested here to ensure that the safety, health, and security standards of the people who use these digital devices can be met,” the president said.
More than just a certification test center, the president expects IDTH to also become a centere for innovation and research. The president instructed the Ministry of Communication and Informatics to collaborate with universities, startups, and MSMEs in encouraging researches and patents, as well as supporting the development and certification of local products.
“Digitalization is the basis for the development of domestic industry and economy by placing local producers as kings in their own country,” President Jokowi concluded, affirming the government’s commitment to support the advancement of Indonesia’s digital technology industry.
Accompanying President Jokowi during the inauguration were Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal and Security Affairs Hadi Tjahjanto, Minister of Communication and Informatics Budi Arie Setiadi, Presidential Chief of Staff Moeldoko, Deputy Minister of Communication and Informatics Nezar Patria, Acting West Java Governor Bey Machmudin, and Depok Mayor Mohammad Idris.
