VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) promoted Indonesia`s digital economy during a meeting with New Zealand businessmen and CEOs at the Majestic Centre of Wellington, on Monday ( 19 March ). Bey Machmudin, head of the presidential press bureau, noted in a statement received by ANTARA on Monday that the President revealed that the Indonesian economy is currently transforming following the rise of the digital economy and the increasing number of middle-class people. The country no longer depends on the export of raw commodities, he added.

"In order to support the economic transformation, the government is serious in realizing the fundamental economic reform," Jokowi stated.

As a result, Indonesia`s ranking in ease of doing business index has increased from 120th in 2014 to 72nd in 2018, according to a survey conducted by the World Bank.

"It increased by 48 points only in four years," the President pointed out.

Indonesia has also received the predicate of Investment Grade from three world rating agencies, namely the "Standard and Poor", "Moodys" and "Fitch". The country`s economy grows more than 5 percent per year, indicating double growth every 14 years.

"Our economy is currently transforming with the emerging e-commerce. Based on our data, around US$2 billion to US$3 billion per year is invested in the e-commerce," President Jokowi revealed.

New Zealand is ranked first in terms of ease of doing business according to the World Bank survey for two consecutive years. Therefore, President Jokowi expects Indonesia to follow New Zealand`s steps by gaining experiences from its businessmen and officials.

The President specifically instructed the Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM) head Thomas Lembong to gather experiences and knowledge from other countries to achieve Indonesia`s target of becoming top 40 countries in the World Bank`s Ease of Doing Business Index by the end of next year. ( antara )