Indonesia, Russia bolster strategic ties in digital technology sector

Indonesia and Russia have established a commitment to augment their degree of strategic cooperation in the fields of communication and digital technology. This collaboration will be the next step to enhance the diplomatic relations that have existed between Indonesia and Russia for the last 75 years.

Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Patria said that the broad cooperation involves many fields, including communications; developing 5G cellular technology networks; expanding broadband networks; digital ecosystems; and hyperlinks including e-commerce, postal services, and digital technologies.

"We are open to cooperation in various possibilities, including telecommunications, digital ecosystems, e-commerce, postal services, and emerging technologies," he stated after a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communication, and Mass Communication, Andrey Zarenin, in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Patria said Indonesia is also interested in improving international connections, including bandwidth growth, which allows global internet and data movement. He explained that, for Indonesia to develop a fast internet network at an affordable cost, like it is in Russia so that people can have access to internet networks with 100 Mbps through less than US$4 payments.

Prior to this agreement, Indonesia and Russia previously also collaborated in areas digital talent training for Indonesia's state civil servant (ASN). They also delivered public lectures in several universities in Indonesia, Patria said. The deputy minister also hoped for future cooperation in the media industry to encourage the exchange of information around Russia with Indonesia, as well as the development of digital skills.