Jokowi Proposes Plans on Digital Economy Development in Batam

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has proposed plans on digital economy development in Batam, Riau Island, within the framework of bilateral relations between Indonesia and Singapore.

“Batam is an ideal location to develop the digital economy,” Jokowi said today, Sept. 7, in a joint press conference with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at Singapore Presidential Palace.

Read: President Jokowi Visits Singapore

The two leaders conveyed a joint statement after holding a bilateral meeting in the same place.

“We are expecting to develop bilateral cooperation, which includes the development of the digital economy,” he said.

President Jokowi said that digital economy that combines technological advances and talent is an attractive option that must continue to be developed.

Meanwhile, Singapore PM Lee Hsien Loong said that the country has the largest share of FDI inflow into Indonesia at 9.2 billion US dollar in 2016. Moreover, Indonesia is one of Singaporean tourists’ main destinations.

PM Lee also is also wishing to step up bilateral cooperation including in investment, education and digital economy. He has also expressed his support for the growth of the regional economy and Indonesia’s national development.

On the same occasion, Jokowi has backed Singapore’s bid for ASEAN chairmanship in 2018.

ANTARA