VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Mar. 8 - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) urged the Agency for the Assessment and Application of Technology (BPPT) to become technologically advanced to drive the country’s economic recovery.

"The BPPT must become an institution for acquiring advanced technology from anywhere. Once again, the BPPT must become an institution for gaining mastery of advanced technology from anywhere," the head of state noted at the State Palace here on Monday while delivering his opening remarks at the agency's 2021 National Meeting on Strengthening the Technology Innovation Ecosystem.

Attendees at the opening ceremony comprised Minister of Research and Technology, concurrently Head of the National Innovation Research Agency Bambang Brodjonegoro, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and Head of BPPT Hammam Riza.

"Technology is currently advancing at a very fast pace, and the technology we need for national economic recovery may not have been produced domestically. Hence, a strategy to acquire technology from abroad is the key to accelerating our economic recovery," Jokowi emphasized.

The instruction was not only directed at the agency but also ministries, particularly those under the coordination of the coordinating minister for maritime affairs and investment as well as the coordinating minister for economic affairs, he clarified.

"(This is also applicable) to the minister of trade, the minister of industry, the minister of state- owned enterprises, and also the head of BKPM. By having huge market power and abundant natural resource wealth, we have a strong leverage. Please, really think about smart ways to conduct technology acquisition inexpensively," Jokowi reiterated.

President Jokowi highlighted the need for the Indonesian nation to be thankful for God's grace for providing copious natural resources.

"We are obliged to protect it and use it wisely for the welfare of the people, for the welfare of our people. However, without the mastery and use of wise technology, this gift will not provide maximum benefits to the people," he added.

The head of state additionally called for a shift in the pattern of Indonesia's economic activities, from being a commodity-based one to an economy based on technological innovation.  (Antaranews)