Three Strategic Sectors Set to Drive 8% Economic Growth
THE GOVERNMENT believes that advances in digital technology, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI), have the potential to become the main driver of Indonesia’s economic growth toward the 8 per cent target. Deputy III for Coordination of Trade and Digital Economy at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Ali Murtopo Simbolon, said the government views the digital sector as a new engine of economic growth for the future.
‘In moving toward eight percent growth, this digital sector is our main engine,’ Ali said at the Press Conference & Soft Launch of the ASOCIO Digital AI Summit 2026 and ASOCIO Digital AI Award at the Best Western Senayan Jakarta, Friday, 6 March 2026.
He said the government has identified three strategic sectors that will become the New Economic Engine of Growth to drive national economic growth. The three sectors include the digital industry, semiconductors, and biotechnology. He said all three sectors will grow with the support of digital transformation.
According to Ali, developments in technology, including AI, will accelerate the growth of a country’s economy. In this strategy, AI development is even positioned alongside the semiconductor industry as part of the digital technology ecosystem. Indonesia is considered to have great potential in the development of the digital economy.
The value of the national digital economy, he said, is projected to surpass US$230 billion in the coming years. The growth is supported by the rising number of internet users in Indonesia. In 2025, internet penetration reached 223 million users out of a total population of around 285 million.
Discussions on the future of the digital economy and the utilisation of AI will also be a focus at the ASOCIO Digital AI Summit 2026 to be held in Jakarta. Indonesia will host the technology forum that will be attended by 24 countries with around 800 delegates. The event is scheduled to take place 29–31 July 2026 in Jakarta.
Chairman of the ASOCIO Digital AI Summit 2026 Organising Committee, Karim Taslim, said that the opportunity to host the event is a strategic opportunity for Indonesia to attract investment while strengthening technology collaboration.
‘Twenty-four member economies will be present, and if we can maximise preparations to welcome 24 countries with 800 delegates, this will be a potential means to attract investment,’ he said.
According to Karim, Indonesia has opportunities to strengthen its position in the Asia-Oceania region through technology collaboration. He also notes that the region has substantial strength in digital talent and the technology industry, including semiconductors.