Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia has officially launched the Digital Ecosystem Alignment (DEAL) 2026 initiative, bringing together government agencies, businesses, academics, investors, startups and community groups to accelerate digital transformation in Southeast Asia’s largest economy.
Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs said that through the initiative, the ministry and its partners unveiled eight strategic cooperation packages covering telecommunications connectivity, digital consumer protection, digital innovation and technopreneurship, the development of a healthy and secure digital ecosystem, startup ecosystem development, collaboration in a national artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem, the expansion of digital inclusion and adoption of emerging technologies, and logistics cost efficiency.
The initiative focuses on three key objectives, namely accelerating digital transformation, improving productivity, and ensuring the sustainability of the digital ecosystem.
Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Meutya Hafid stressed that close cooperation among stakeholders is essential to avoid fragmented efforts and ensure digital growth contributes meaningfully to the economy.
Several projects under DEAL 2026 are already underway. These include the application of Internet of Things (IoT) technology to support farmers and fish cultivators in Sleman, Banjarnegara and Lamongan districts, as well as practical AI training programmes for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in Wonogiri and Banyuwangi.
Indonesia is also developing the DARA feature to help reduce gaming addiction risks among children and creating an ecosystem dashboard that will serve as a national digital data platform.
Director General of Digital Ecosystem Edwin Hidayat Abdullah said Indonesia is entering a period of profound transformation driven by AI and the growing data economy. DEAL 2026, built on the principles of aligned interests, shared responsibility and national prosperity, is expected to help ensure that digital growth benefits society as a whole./.
