VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

The Indonesian government is encouraging the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to provide global market access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through integration into the digital economy.

This encouragement was conveyed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Trade when attending the APEC Forum Ministerial Meeting which was held for the first time virtually on November 16, according to a written statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received in Jakarta, Tuesday.

In her statement, Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi said that the differences of opinion that have occurred between several economies have disrupted APEC's efforts in the last two years. For that, it is time for APEC to put aside differences and restore world confidence.

This can be done through the Post-2020 APEC Vision which will become APEC's fundamental guide for the next 20 years, continuing the vision of the APEC Bogor Goals 1994 which will end this year.

The Bogor Goals are a declaration produced at the 1994 APEC Summit in Bogor, which aims to create a free trade and investment system in 2010 for developed countries, and at the latest in 2020 for developing countries.

With a strong vision, APEC can achieve strong, balanced, safe, sustainable, and inclusive economic growth. To achieve this goal, the Indonesian Foreign Minister emphasized two things.

First, according to Foreign Minister Retno, the APEC collaboration must benefit all APEC members. This can be achieved by increasing connectivity. APEC must continue and synergize various regional connectivity initiatives, put aside competition, and focus on beneficial cooperation.

Second, the Indonesian Foreign Minister continued, the APEC collaboration must be felt by all residents of APEC countries.

Given that MSMEs represent 97 percent of all businesses and more than 50 percent of the collaborative workforce, APEC must focus on efforts to provide access to the global value chain for MSMEs and encourage MSME participation in the digital economy.

"Therefore, the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap must be able to support the integration of MSMEs into the digital economy," said Retno.

APEC's Post-2020 Vision targets to achieve an open, dynamic, resilient, and peaceful Asia Pacific community by 2040.

There are three main pillars in achieving the Post-2020 APEC Vision, namely trade and investment, digital and technology, and quality economic growth. It is planned that this vision will be endorsed by the APEC Economic Leaders at the 2020 APEC Summit on 20 November 2020, which will also be held virtually.

The 2020 APEC Ministerial Meeting resulted in an APEC Ministerial Joint Statement containing the results of APEC's work for 2020 including efforts to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of the digital economy and technology, and political support for the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda. (Antaranews)