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Inspector General of Communications and Informatics Doddy Setiadi, during the "Postal Opportunity in Rural Region in Digital e-Commerce" discussion at the Indonesia Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates, here on Sunday (12/26/2021). (kominfo.go.id) - 

The Communication and Informatics Ministry (Kominfo) pushes for innovation and partnerships in e-commerce and logistics to support the economy in rural areas because online sellers on the outer islands, for instance, can sell online through their own online stores or online marketplaces.

"This can overcome the challenges of distance, low population density, and limited purchasing power in rural areas," Inspector General of the ministry's Communications and Informatics Doddy Setiadi said during the "Postal Opportunity in Rural Region in Digital e-Commerce" discussion at the Indonesia Pavilion, Expo 2020 Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing merchants to close their stores and switch to online sales. At the same time, more and more people are using e-commerce platforms for grocery shopping.

Indonesia has recorded an increase of 21 million digital consumers since the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Kominfo, 72 percent of them come from rural areas.

"This figure shows the growth of e-commerce penetration in the largest market in Indonesia. This growth is ready to create added value in the digital era, as well as contribute to the development of a more inclusive e-commerce," Setiadi said in a press statement that ANTARA received here Sunday.

The trend of using e-commerce has triggered the need for reliable logistics services. Hence, the government seeks to ensure that Indonesia's postal logistics infrastructure is integrated nationally to reach unreached areas, and reduce the infrastructure gap between rural and urban areas, he said.

"The e-commerce trend will develop well if the products sold online can be delivered to customers in a reasonable price and time. Meanwhile, postal logistics channels offer worldwide delivery within a short distance for online sellers in rural areas," Setiadi said.

The e-commerce partnership with logistics services is one solution to develop the e-commerce market and open up opportunities for the community. The partnership will help improve logistics infrastructure, strengthen point-to-point services, and increase last-mile delivery.

Once partnerships are established, the logistics services will encourage businesses in rural areas to reach global customers.

"Postal logistics channels can effectively act as a counterweight by enabling businesses in rural areas to reach markets and customers anywhere, as well as address cohesion and infrastructure challenges," he said.

The role of postal and logistics operators is crucial in providing long-distance deliveries, both within the country and between countries.

"Postal and logistics operators support small-scale online sellers in rural areas in reaching their customers," Setiadi said.

The existence of digital infrastructure and platforms opens up opportunities for people living in rural areas to market their products online.

Sellers can stay in the villages while they stay connected with customers living elsewhere, both nationally and internationally//ANT

Director general of post and information technology resources and equipment at the Communication and Informatics Ministry, Ismail. (ANTARA/HO-kominfo.go.id/uyu) - 

The Communication and Informatics Ministry has invited investment in broadband technology from the private sector to accelerate digital transformation as part of efforts to achieve the 2025 Broadband Targets set by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

"By 2025, all countries are expected to have universal broadband policies," Director General of Post and Information Technology Resources and Equipment at the ministry, Ismail, said in a press release issued on Saturday.

The policies must encourage everyone to gain online access, affordable broadband services, digital literacy and skills, digital financial services, as well as gender equality in accessing the services, he noted.

Furthermore, higher penetration of fixed broadband and mobile broadband could help build the ability to mitigate the risk of economic decline due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the director general added.

"Fixed broadband provides the returns to scale economic effect for developed countries, while mobile broadband provides accessibility to developing countries,” he noted.

Indonesia, as a developing country that comprises tens of thousands of islands, requires equitable access to connectivity, especially for household and industry sectors, Ismail said.

The country is facing three challenges to improving its digital sector -- connectivity, digital divide amid the pandemic, and digital infrastructure expansion, he added.

Hence, the government has drawn a 2021–2024 Digital Indonesia Roadmap to transform its digital sector and recover its national economy, he said.

Thus, the ministry is continuing to improve telecommunications infrastructure and strengthen data governance, including cross-border data exchange, he added.

In 2021, the ministry focused on increasing 4G network access in disadvantaged areas, encouraging the joint utilization of infrastructure among telecommunication providers, and launching 5G networks, Ismail informed.

The implementation of 5G networks in Indonesia is expected to increase investment in the country by Rp591 trillion by 2030 and Rp719 trillion by 2035, he said.

The technology will also generate an additional 4.6 million and 5.1 million jobs in 2030 and 2035, respectively, he added.

In 2022, the ministry will improve the development of local start-ups so that Indonesia can become a financial technology hub for Southeast Asia in 2023, he said

Furthermore, the government will encourage the development of digital tourism in 2024, he informed//ANT

Personnel from the National Defense Force (TNI) distribute staple foods to low-income residents in Enarotali sub-district, Paniai district, Papua province. (ANTARA Papua/HO-Pendam XVII) - 

Personnel from the National Defense Force (TNI) have distributed staple foods to low-income residents in Enarotali sub-district, Paniai district, Papua province.

The assistance is part of TNI’s efforts to forge close relations with the local people, Commander of the Enarotali Sub-district Military Command, Major Marina Rumawak, said.

"The assistance of basic necessities is also aimed at helping (ease) the financial burden on the local people as the COVID-19 pandemic has not ended and sharing our love and affection on Christmas Day,” he added, according to a TNI press statement released on Saturday.

Rumawak further said he had reminded local residents to remain disciplined in following the health protocols in order to prevent COVID-19 transmission and urged them to report any security problems to the military command.

"By doing so, all problems can be immediately handled and Paniai district can remain secure, comfortable, and conducive,” he remarked//ANT

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi visits the house of one of the stunted toddlers in Bringin Village on Friday, December 24, 2021. (FOTO ANTARA/HO-Humas Pemkot Surabaya) - 

Hydroponic fish and vegetable cultivation is a solution that has begun to be promoted to the people of Surabaya in East Java in an effort to reduce stunting.

Surabaya Mayor Eri Cahyadi affirmed that the efforts made by the Surabaya city government in suppressing stunting were not merely limited to focusing on information expedition and intervention but also encouraging health cadres, village heads, and sub-district heads to innovate, so that issues related to stunting could be addressed suitably.

"During a visit to the house of one of the stunted toddlers in Bringin Village yesterday (December 24), I told the sub-district head, village head, and health cadres to be more proactive in cultivating hydroponic fish and vegetables," he said here on Saturday.

According to Eri, hydroponic fish and vegetable cultivation is part of an innovative way to lower the stunting rates, though it should irrefutably be balanced with patience of each parent.

The mayor also advised the parents of toddlers with stunting to pay attention to their child's diet by for instance, offering protein-rich foods at least twice a day or by being innovative in serving foods in visually appealing ways to entice children to consume them.

"If the food is decorated (in an compelling style), then the children will like it. Hence, the children will be interested, (and they will eat it)," he remarked.

Cahyadi pointed to the stunting rate in Surabaya having dropped to 34th out of the 38 districts and cities in East Java Province. Earlier, Surabaya was ranked third in East Java in terms of the stunting rate.

The number of cases of stunting among toddlers in 31 sub-districts of Surabaya City in the last three months decreased, from 5,727 cases to 1,785 cases as of December 6. Of the 1,785 cases, the Surabaya city government will conduct comprehensive data collection on them and categorize them accordingly.

The mapping was conducted in order to figure out which ones were residents with or without Surabaya identity cards. "Thus, the city government's intervention to deal with cases of stunting among toddlers can be prioritized," he added//ANT