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Digital technology can reduce income gap: Minister
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Communications and Information Ministry Rudiantara (third right) poses in front of Indonesia's pavilion with You Young Min, Korea’s Minister of Science and ICT (third left) and other high ranking officials during the ITU Telecom World 2017 in Busan, South Korea, on Sept. 25. ITU Telecom World 2017 will be held until Sept. 28. (JP/ Winny Tang)
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ommunications and Information Minister Rudiantara emphasized on Monday that the adoption of innovative digital technology had great potential to solve the growing wealth disparity within the society.
Speaking during the opening ceremony of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) Telecom World 2017 event in Busan, South Korea, Rudiantara offered two strategic measures to address income disparities through digitalization.
“The first measure is by empowering micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for rapid adoption and practical application of innovative and disruptive digital economy business models,” the minister said.
Some digital business models in Indonesia have proven to bring positive impacts in providing job opportunities, and thus have contributed to reducing income disparities, such as online marketplace Tokopedia and homegrown ride-hailing app Go-Jek, Rudiantara argued.
Read also: Indonesia issues e-commerce road mapThe second measure is by supporting MSMEs in underserved regions to develop their potential by enabling them to enjoy access to digital connectivity, he added.
In Indonesia, the government has been able to gradually improve broadband connectivity across the archipelago by utilizing Universal Service Obligation (USO) funds, which come from telecommunication companies.
ITU Telecom World 2017 is an event that brings together information and communication technology ministers, business leaders and small and medium enterprises in the ICT sector to discuss ideas and collaborate. The event will run from Sept. 25-28.
Around 8,000 officials and experts from governments, academia and the business sector have joined the event. Countries such as Japan, China and South Africa are showcasing their latest technological developments. (bbn)
