VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Jakarta (voinews.id): Coordinating Economic Affairs Minister Airlangga Hartarto and UK's Minister for Exports Andrew Bowie met to discuss ways to strengthen the digital economy as among the priority programs of Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023.

According to Hartarto, Indonesia currently has a relatively large demographic bonus that should be aligned with digital growth.

"To this end, collaboration in education is deemed to be very important for the development of digital talent," he noted during the meeting at his ministry office, here, Wednesday.

"This is especially important because, as we know, education institutions in England have advantages and educational quality that the world recognizes," he remarked.

The Indonesian government also lauded King's College London for agreeing to establish and intensify cooperation in Indonesia.

Hartarto also highlighted several important points during Indonesia's ASEAN Chairmanship in 2023, such as aspects related to sustainability, digitalization, facilitation of e-commerce, and strengthening of small and medium enterprises in the region.

Moreover, on the occasion, the two parties expressed their satisfaction over the development achieved within the Indonesia-England leadership cooperation scheme.

This encompasses commodity trade, forestry and agriculture dialogue, as well as the formation of the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO).

England itself plays an important role in encouraging sustainability standardization recognition for Indonesia's several primary commodities in forestry, agriculture to chemical products.

Bowie emphasized England's readiness to continue to help Indonesia in the effort to encourage market access as well as acceptance and recognition of Indonesia's sustainability standards, particularly from the European Union.

He also echoed England's readiness to serve as a bridge or a hub for broader market access in Europe.

England is also ready to cooperate with Indonesia in the new and renewable energy sector, including through investment and technology transfer to Indonesia, Bowie stated. (antaranews)