Indonesia, Germany hold Digital Dialogue

Jakarta, The Gulf Observer: The Ministry of Communication and Informatics (Kemenkominfo) of Indonesia and Bundesministerium für Digitales und Verkehr (BMDV – Ministry of Digital and Transportation) of Germany held a meeting of the Indonesian-German Digital Dialogue (IGDD).

The meeting that took place at the Hannover Convention Center in Hannover, Germany, was a follow-up to the Joint Declaration of Intent (JDoI), or the cooperation agreement between the two countries in the field of digital transformation.

Director General of Information and Public Communication of Kemenkominfo Usman Kansong in a press release on Wednesday (April 19) local time stated that during the first meeting of IGDD, both parties exchanged information and discussed digital policy development to be included in the Work Plan.

JDoI contains the cooperation agreement in the areas of digital policy and strategy, data policy, internet governance and policy, digital technology, sustainable digital transformation, and digital inclusion.

“This work plan is to determine the priorities and objectives of the Ministry of Communication and Informatics and BMDV in 2023 and 2024,” Kansong stated.

The first IGDD meeting discussed the theme of “Objectives and Priorities of the Indonesian-German Digital Dialogue” that included digital policies and strategies, developing digital technology, and opportunities and business models. Kansong said the event was the first IGDD meeting that was scheduled to be held annually.

The role of the Indonesian government in implementing the agreement is through policies and regulations. In order to implement the agreement concretely, the Indonesian delegation also presented industry representatives.

“There were also a number of industry circles that we invited to speak, because later, what we have discussed in concrete terms will actually be these, these industries,” Kansong stated.

Kansong pointed out that every country has different conditions that lead to different rules being applied to each country.

“Of course, we can apply something that has been implemented in other countries. However, there is a possibility that it is not suitable to be implemented in our country. We can harmonize it,” he stated.

Hence, Kansong believes that it is most important for both parties to have the same level of enthusiasm to encourage the development of digital technology. Through the agreement, Indonesia is expected to not only become a technology consumer but also a technology producer.

At the meeting, the Indonesian delegation was led by Usman Kansong, while the German delegation was led by Director General of Policies and Digital and Data Benjamin Brake.