Indonesia and Argentina are exploring opportunities for cooperation in the field of information and communication technology (ICT) during the recently held Digital Economy Ministers’ Meeting (DEMM).
The exploration of cooperation between the two countries was marked by a bilateral meeting between Johnny G Plate, Minister of Communication and Information, Indonesia and Micaela Sánchez Malcolm, Secretary of Public Innovation, Argentina.
The cooperation between the two countries can be carried out in the upstream or upstream sector of ICT in the form of disseminating fast connections (broadband) to connect the South American region to the Asian region.
Regarding downstream or downstream digital collaboration opportunities, Minister Johnny cited that it could be done through digital economic literacy and digital training by utilising various digital spaces owned by the two countries.
Indonesia and Argentina agreed to form a team to prepare for the continuation of the exploration plan, which includes a framework for cooperation, legal policies, an agreement, and a draft memorandum between the two parties.
Secretary Micaela, on the other hand, stated that through the cooperation built between the two countries, her party is optimistic that it will make the telecommunications connectivity network in Argentina become wider.
The Argentinian secretary hopes that cooperation between the two countries can happen soon since it’s important to have good communication networks nowadays because people’s needs are getting higher in the digital age.
Meanwhile, Minister Johnny and Minister of Technology and Digital Economy of the United Kingdom (United Kingdom) Damian Noel Thomas Collins have discussed the continuation of cooperation in the procurement of Indonesia’s Satellite (SATRIA 2).
Minister Johnny said the British government had committed to providing financial support for the procurement of green satellites with a capacity of 300 gigabytes per second (Gbps). He added that the discussion between the two ministers also discussed bilateral cooperation between Indonesia and the UK, particularly in upstream digital infrastructure.
He appreciated the British delegation’s support for the three priority issues that were brought up by Indonesia in the G20 DEWG such as connectivity and post-Covid -19 recovery, digital skill and digital literacy and the data free flow with trust and cross-border data flow.
Furthermore, the Japanese government through a research and educational network provides high-speed internet network assistance up to 100 gigabytes per second (Gbps) for 83 universities in Indonesia which are represented by the Indonesian Research and Education Network (IDREN) community and the Universitas Brawijaya (UB) during the ratification of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
With this initiative, the 100 Gbps network to IDREN, which is Indonesia’s research and education network, creates a great history for the future, not only for Indonesia but also for academics in the Asia-Pacific region for the sake of a resilient society. IDREN is a milestone for the future of the Asia-Pacific region for the sake of a resilient society.
Students, researchers, and lecturers will have access to high-definition data, cloud, AI computing and multimedia communications, plus collaboration opportunities with global universities and research institutions.
Indonesia is bringing together the governments, bilateral and multilateral organisations, civil society, and the corporate sector, among others, who are committed to enhancing the efficacy of their economic development partnerships as every nation recognises the need of collaboration as well as the significance of receiving international help for the growth of their economies.
