Indonesia continues to dominate the digital economy landscape in Southeast Asia, with its digital economy reaching a staggering IDR 1,266.67 trillion or USD 82 billion in 2023. Rudy Salahuddin, Deputy for Digital Economy, Manpower, and SME Coordination at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, announced this during a media briefing in Jakarta. This substantial figure surpasses other Southeast Asian countries significantly, with Thailand ranking second at USD 36 billion, followed by Vietnam at USD 30 billion, according to e-Conomy SEA 2023 data. Rudy highlighted the continuous growth of Indonesia's digital economy, primarily driven by the e-commerce sector, holding a dominant 57% market share. Other significant segments include ride-hailing and online media. The government foresees a further surge in the national digital economy, projecting it to reach USD 109 billion by 2025, solidifying Indonesia's position with a 40% market share in the region.
However, Rudy acknowledged various challenges impeding the realization of these ambitious figures, encompassing issues like uneven internet access due to infrastructure disparities, limited availability of digital talents, and the sluggish pace of regulatory policies. To address these challenges, the government is preparing the National Strategy for Digital Economy Development, outlined in the White Paper on the National Strategy for Digital Economy Development in Indonesia 2030. The comprehensive strategy comprises six key pillars, encompassing infrastructure, human resources, business climate, and cyber security, research, innovation, and business development, funding and investment, as well as policies and regulations. Rudy emphasized that these pillars, constituting the Digital National Strategy, will serve as a reference for both the government and businesses, aligning efforts towards the shared goal of advancing Indonesia's Vision of a Golden Indonesia by 2045. The government's proactive measures underscore a commitment to addressing challenges and fostering a conducive environment for sustained digital economic growth.
