Indonesia called on ASEAN member states to speed up the completion of the ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (Defa) to strengthen regional economic growth amid global uncertainty and rising protectionism. Speaking at the Indonesia-Philippines business forum in Lapu-Lapu City, Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto emphasized that the agreement would create a unified framework for digital trade, e-commerce, digital payments, and data governance across Southeast Asia.

Hartarto highlighted the digital economy as a key driver for future growth, especially for younger generations, as it is less vulnerable to global tariff conflicts. He also encouraged stronger cooperation between Indonesia and the Philippines in digital infrastructure, including data centers, fiber optic connectivity, and talent development. The agreement is expected to support cross-border investment, improve regulatory harmonization, and enhance regional competitiveness in sectors such as fintech, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure.
Source
 https://www.sunstar.com.ph/cebu/indonesia-urges-asean-to-seal-digital-trade-deal