TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Research, Technology and Higher Education Minister Mohamad Nasir has encouraged development of technology-based people's economy to boost local as well as national economic growth.

"Hopefully (with the development in technology) people's economy will grow based on technology, not only with business as usual process," the minister said at the Research, Innovation, Technology Expo 2019 in Puputan Square, Renon, Denpasar on Sunday.

The expo was part of the commemoration of the National Technology Awareness (Hakteknas).

Mohamad Nasir has also called on all parties to familiarize innovation, through various cooperation with colleges, researchers and all institutions under the Research, Technology and Higher Education Ministry, as well as local governments.

He expressed belief that the issuance of law no. 11/12019 on the national system of science and technology will bring about favorable climate to the development of research and technology in the country.

"Hopefully, this will accommodate inventors. The law has also covered research, development, assessment and application to produce innovation and invention," he said.

The minister took the examples of some invention that could have a small to large impact on the economy, including the invention to process palm oil into diesel fuel and aviation turbine fuel (avtur).

"If we can finish this in the next two years, we don't need to import fuel oil anymore. We can save US$17.6 billion or some Rp250 trillion," he said.

Various research, technology and innovation exposed in the Ritech 2019 Expo, that covered among others food and agriculture sector, health, transportation, information and communication technology, energy, security and defense, maritime, disaster mitigation, education, art, social and culture.

ANTARA