Indonesia encourages OIC members to boost digital economy cooperation
Photo caption: Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri. (ANTARA)
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian government has called on member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) to strengthen digital economy cooperation through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), youth entrepreneurship development, and broader market access.
"The challenge is how to maximize the potential of young people so that they do not merely become technology users but can also create innovations, develop businesses, and generate added value for the economy," Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri said in a statement on Tuesday.
According to Roro, Indonesia has significant potential in the digital economy, with a population of more than 281 million, including 62.39 million millennials and 57.64 million Generation Z members.
The potential, says Roro, needs to be maximized so that young generations do not merely become technology users but also create innovations and develop businesses.
Speaking at Panel Session 3 entitled "Next Generation Convergence: AI, Youth Enterprise, and the OIC Digital Growth Frontier," during the B57+ Business Leaders' Summit 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye, on Sunday (Nov 1), she said improving human resource skills, particularly in digital trade and entrepreneurship, was essential to boosting productivity and competitiveness.
To expand local businesses' access to global markets, the Ministry of Trade has introduced four initiatives: developing the InaExport platform, implementing the Campuspreneur program, providing digital-based export training, and promoting the use of electronic trade documents, including electronic Certificates of Origin (e-SKA).
InaExport is a free digital platform that connects exporters with prospective international buyers. It also provides information on market potential, export destination countries, tariffs, and market access requirements.
Roro also encouraged OIC member states to share experiences in developing their respective digital economies.
The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement (DEFA) initiative and cross-border payment connectivity through Indonesia's Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS), says Roro, could serve as references for strengthening digital trade among countries.
The use of technology and AI needs to be accompanied by improvements in digital literacy to ensure that their benefits can be widely shared.
The development of the startup ecosystem needs to be supported by access to financing, business mentoring, training, and market connections.
"Through mutually complementary cooperation, OIC member states are expected to increase trade value, strengthen business competitiveness, and promote inclusive economic growth," the deputy minister said.
The B57+ is a strategic business leadership platform established by the Islamic Chamber of Commerce and Development to strengthen economic, trade, and investment cooperation among the 57 OIC member states and major economic partner countries.
The summit connects decision-makers with the private sector to explore new opportunities in investment, trade, and cross-border cooperation.
