Pandemic is Opportune Time for Digital Start-Ups in Indonesia

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Minister of Transportation Budi Karya said that digital start-ups in Indonesia have skyrocketed during the pandemic underscoring the importance of online tools.

Budi encouraged the country’s younger generation to push for more innovation during the coronavirus pandemic to support national economic recovery.

During a virtual event with a university from the city of Surabaya, Budi invited the 300 participants to maximize digital technology tools to boost the Indonesian economy.

As young innovators, the students have a better idea of offering solutions during these difficult times, he said.

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“The current situation has proven to be a valuable opportunity for digital start-ups in Indonesia to provide and develop services harness digital technology that can answer existing challenges.”

The potential for Indonesia in the digital age is massive due to its large population, a thriving millennial generation, and better internet access.

“This potential will support the growth of e-commerce businesses and those in the digital economy. The pandemic has forced people to remain at home thus catapulting digital start-ups in Indonesia.”

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Under the National Economic Recovery program, the Indonesian government has allocated Rp 695.2 trillion to various sectors affected during the Covid-19 pandemic including the business community.

Stimulus packages and incentives have been prioritized for Indonesian SMEs, healthcare, social assistance programs in addition to funding for corporations, sectors, and regional governments.

It is crucial that the young generation make use of the government stimulus packages to bring about innovative changes to help the country recover.

To support digital start-ups in Indonesia to survive in these tough conditions, synergies between the government, business community, universities, mass media, and society are as important as government economic programs.

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Nevertheless, to succeed in the digital era, Indonesia is required to create equal access to the internet, which does not concentrate solely on Java island.

For that reason, Budi hopes that the students and participants of the virtual event can spearhead technological advancements in the future particularly in eastern Indonesia.

(Writer: Yohana Artha Uly | Editor: Erlangga Djumena)

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/11/22/141900526/menhub--pandemi-membuat-perusahaan-digital-meroket