JAKARTA (TheInsiderStories) - After visiting Facebook headquarter, the Indonesian President Joko Widodo carried outs touring in Silicon Valley by visiting the headquarters of Google and Twitter. The President is seeking inspiration and gain some lessons as he is trying to stimulate the growth of digital economy back home.
The President knows the daunting task of the Indonesian government in serving the 252 million Indonesian people, spreading across 17,000 islands across the archipelago. The answer is digitalization.
At Google, the President met with CEO of Google Sundar Pichai and its top executives. President Joko Widodo said that his government has laid down a number of policies to make Indonesia as the largest digitalized-based economy in South East Asia with industry value of US$130 billion by 2020.
“Among policies that we have launched is the e-commerce roadmap and 10 economic policy packages as well as financing facility access to the SMEs,” Jokowi said.
He appreciated and conveyed his hopes that Google can support Indonesian government drive to aid small and medium enterprises by providing easy access to the market through internet.
During the visit, the President also saw a simulation of an application to help chase illegal fishing activities.
The President was accompanied by the Information and Communication Miniser Rudiantara, Foreign Miniser Retno Marsudi and the Head of Creative Economy Agency Triawan Munaf.
Meeting with Twitter CEO
The President also visited Twitter Headquarter in San Fransisco and met with CEO of Twiter Jack Dorsey as well as Twitter executives.
During the visit, the President also met with Indonesian workers who are working at Twitter.
The President appreciates the role Twitter has played in the democratization process, not only in Indonesia but also around the world. He hopes Twitter could spread the positive values in the society and creation of good governance.
“I hope Twitter can improve its presence in Indonesia and convey humanistic messages, such as disaster response and strengthen the values of tolerance, moderation and peace,” the President said. (*)