TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo is optimistic that Indonesia represents countries with a good climate for the development of startup industries as evident in the rapid growth of the startup industry in the past years.

As of now, Indonesia has the most active startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia and is ranked fifth worldwide behind the United States, India, England, and Canada, with a total number of startups reaching 2,193 with one decacorn and 4 unicorns.

Reports also suggest that Indonesia is Asia’s country with the largest digital economy value and rapid growth. Such as in 2015 (USD 8 billion) compared to 2019 that scored (USD 40 billion). Many projects this growth to continue to 2025 with USD 133 billion.

“The growth is really astonishing. This potential must be used effectively but we shall not be stuck as a market. We refuse to only be onlookers,” said President Jokowi in the Indonesia Digital Economy Summit 2020 at Ritz-Carlton Pasifik Place, Jakarta on Thursday, February 27.

The president reminds us that digital economy growth must be followed by marketing domestic businesses and develop national small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

“We must boost the sales of national products. Don’t let our marketplaces be filled with imported products,” said Jokowi in his acceptance speech.

DEWI NURITA