Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto has urged universities and students to become actively involved in making the most of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency for driving national economic growth.
At the G20 Indonesia Presidency Seminar held by Gadjah Mada University in Yogyakarta on Thursday, Hartarto drew attention to three keys to post-pandemic economic recovery, including creating more job opportunities in potential sectors, such as the digital sector, by building capacity and relevant skills.
The minister deemed it important for the university to encourage its civitas academica to support the process of economic growth.
The government has facilitated the youth to become actively involved in various engagement groups at the G20 forum.
In this forum, members of the younger generation had freedom to voice their ideas, initiatives, and innovations according to the roles that were of interest to them.
Together, the G20 members account for 85 percent of the world’s economy in 20 countries, 75 percent of international trade, and 80 percent of global investment. Thus, the G20 Presidency term was important for Indonesia.
Hartarto remarked that Indonesia was currently in an important phase since it was a time when the COVID-19 pandemic would gradually turn to an endemic. While some countries had relaxed their regulations and health protocols, Indonesia had remained cautious due to its larger population.
During the G20 Presidency, Indonesia seeks not only to produce narrative concepts but also concrete deliverables that benefit it and the world.
He emphasized the importance of Indonesia’s demographic bonus, especially for the 2020-2030 period, during which it is eyeing to escape the middle-income trap. This would encourage the younger generation, such as the millennials and Generation Z, to increase their productivity.
He further noted that the key to another post-pandemic economic recovery is to encourage productivity to create added value in sectors that were considered as the source of new economic growth.
Moreover, it was deemed important to create an ecosystem for a more livable earth, promote sustainable jobs, and a just and affordable energy transition.
“I hope that this seminar will (garner suggestions) from researchers in order to formulate a research-based policy that can support the three priority agendas of Indonesia’s G20 Presidency, and this will create a legacy for the Indonesian G20 Presidency,” he concluded.
Source: Antara News