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Minister of Communication and Informatics Johnny G. Plate met with Deputy Ambassador of the United States to Indonesia Heather Variava in Jakarta on Aug 28, 2020. ANTARA/HO

Communication and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate held a meeting with Deputy Ambassador of the US to Indonesia Heather Variava to explore cooperation in speeding up digital transformation.

"The discussions encompassed technological aspects pertaining to human resources or digital talent provided by the Ministry of Communication and Informatics. America supported it," Plate noted in a statement on Monday.

The meeting held in Jakarta on Friday (Aug 28) also encompassed discussions on improving Television Transmitting Stations (ITSS).

Minister Plate noted that the US government had offered financial support to companies from the country to partake in digital economic development and digital broadcasting in Indonesia.

"Specifically, the deputy ambassador conveyed the commitment and intent of the US government and US companies to partake in financing digital transformation development programs, including digital broadcasting, information technology, and ICT infrastructure," he affirmed.

The duo also discussed best practices to develop mid-level digital talent and digital literacy at the basic level.

"We also discussed ways to maintain a better digital space related to cybersecurity and cybercrimes. We shared a similar understanding. America shares its values and experiences as well as pertaining to the latest conditions prevailing in Indonesia," he remarked.

Variava highlighted the opportunity for US companies in Indonesia to lend support for development of the digital economy, according to the ministry's statement.

The US Government has an opportunity to establish cooperation with its Indonesian counterpart and companies. The US can also support by offering training and education for human capital development, which President Jokowi has prioritized, Variava was quoted as saying.

The ministry conveyed that cooperation opportunities with foreign countries in the telecommunications sector, including with the US, will be followed up with the stages and mechanisms applicable in Indonesia.

Apart from the US, France and Japan had earlier also expressed interest in forging cooperation in the telecommunications sector with Indonesia. (ANTARA)