TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto on Friday revealed that Indonesia's e-commerce transactions had spiked by 400 percent following growing demand in online transactions amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Respondents using digital platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic comprised 51 percent social media users, 45 percent online education platforms, 42 percent e-commerce, 40 percent virtual meetings, and 34 percent e-banking users," said Minister Airlangga in Friday's virtual conference.

The growth of SMEs in digital platforms have also contributed to the spike in digital transactions as May 2020 recorded over 1 million SMEs trading in online platforms.

Minister Airlangga forecasted digital valuation by 2025 could reach USD135 billion and was projected to dominate 85 percent of ASEAN's total total digital valuation of USD150 billion.

Placing hope on the digital sector is also what the minister believes will help boost the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially nearing the third quarter.

Meanwhile, Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama said the government was attempting to build better access for SMEs to enter digital platforms..

Read: 3 Keys to Rebuilding Indonesia's Economy

FRANCISCA CHRISTY ROSANA