Cooperatives and SMEs Minister Teten Masduki (on screen) delivered his speech at the opening of G20 side event themed "B20 Indonesia Digital Economy to Support SDGs" in Nusa Dua, Badung, Bali, on Monday (August 8, 2022). ANTARA/Genta Tenri Mawangi
Every year, we lack at least 600 thousand digital talentsDeputy Chair of the B20 Digitalization Task Force Fajrin Rasyid underscored the significance of boosting digital literacy and capabilities of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
"As per the commitment of 'No One Left Behind,' everyone deserves access to the digital platform. Hence, everyone needs to work together to improve two aspects, i.e., literacy at the individual and MSME levels," Rasyid, concurrently the digital business director of PT Telkom Indonesia, remarked during a B20 forum held in hybrid format -- offline and online -- here on Monday.
The Business 20 (B20) is the official G20 dialogue forum with the global business community. B20 bases its work on Task Forces (TFs) and Action Councils (ACs) entrusted to develop consensus-based policy recommendations to the G20 and to international organizations and institutions.
Rasyid called on the government to focus on increasing digital skills early on for producing more digital talents.
"Every year, we lack at least 600 thousand digital talents. Therefore, I think policymakers can embed digital topics into the curricula at the education (school) to workers' level," he explained.
He stated that the acceleration of digitalization cannot be separated from the cooperation of various parties, such as the government, in ensuring MSMEs' access to digital platforms and support from e-commerce, financial technology (fintech), digital payment platforms, and financing.
"Hence, not only platforms can develop innovation but MSMEs can also develop their business on the digital platform. In addition, MSMEs can use digital platforms with financing to support their business," he explained.
Furthermore, Rasyid assessed that the government's target of 30 million MSMEs adopting digital technology by 2024 can also be achieved in line with the digital technology, literacy, and skills that are increasingly attached to daily life.
Support of the government's various programs and incentives can improve Indonesian MSMEs to become more competitive and sustainable, he added.
"For example, through the Proud of Indonesian Products National Movement (Gernas BBI), wherein MSMEs can get incentives from the government and other partners. We have reached the target of half of the 30 million digital MSMEs by 2024, and this is good progress," he stated.
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