Jokowi: Trade Deficit in IT Device Sector Reaches US$2.1 Billion
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Editor
7 May 2024 15:19 WIB
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi lamented that imported goods still dominate the domestic market for technological and communication devices. According to his data, the trade deficit in the technology and information device sector reached US$2.1 billion or more than Rp30 trillion.
"(Imported goods) also still dominate applications for device testing. The data I obtained from the PRC (China) amounted to 3,046 devices, while those from Indonesia were only 632 in total. That's a wide gap," said Jokowi in his speech at the inauguration of IDTH in Depok, West Java, Tuesday, May 7, 2024, as quoted from Antara. This data shows that Indonesia is still a user in the technology and information device sector, not yet a player.
Last month, Jokowi met two CEOs from global tech giants, Tim Cook from Apple and Satya Nadela from Microsoft. From that meeting, it was found that of the 320 device components produced by Apple, Indonesia only has two domestically produced component suppliers.
Meanwhile, other neighboring countries such as the Philippines have 17 component suppliers, Malaysia has 19 component suppliers, Thailand has 24 component suppliers, and Vietnam has 72 suppliers.
This is unfortunate, Jokowi said, because Indonesia has the largest GDP in Southeast Asia; 46 percent of the total GDP of ASEAN countries.
"Why are we silent? Why is everyone silent? Are you surprised? It's troubling, but this is what we need to pursue," said the President.
Furthermore, the Head of State encouraged the improvement of the capabilities of domestic global industry. Thus, Indonesia will not only be a user but also part of a key player in the technology sector's global supply chain.
Jokowi also reminded each party to be vigilant regarding the rapid pace of device production and must have the courage to create breakthroughs. "The technology is evolving, there are new technological devices every day that change how we work, that offer speed and efficiency," he said.
ANTARA
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