Youth, digital economy key to ASEAN growth: Indonesian FM
The youth and digital economy are important drivers to ensure Southeast Asia becomes the epicentrum of growth, Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said.
Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Photo: kemlu.go.id)
Jakarta (VNA)- The youth and digital economy areimportant drivers to ensure Southeast Asia becomes the epicentrum of growth,Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi has said.
Speaking at the ASEANYouth Dialogue (AYD) 2023 on Development for Sustainable Development Goals onApril 11, she said that the potential is even more promising with thedemographic dividend where one-third of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s population are young people.
The minister saidASEAN’s digital economy is projected to reach 2 trillion USD and will contributearound 28% to the region’s gross domestic product (GDP).
In order to optimise the potential, she said theregion should encourage innovation, promote entrepreneurial spirit andencourage social responsibility.
Retno pointed out thatinnovation by the youth has played an important role in overcoming challengesin various sectors in times of crisis.
In fact, the youth have abetter opportunity to create a beneficial impact on the people in the region ifthe entrepreneurial spirit continues to be promoted.
She cited that as agents ofchange, the youth must have a spirit of social responsibility and that greatempathy is needed to ensure that no one is left behind, especially marginalisedcommunities.
Currently, there are over 52unicorns in ASEAN, where Indonesia has two decacorns and nine unicorns.
About 60 young people from ASEAN member nations and Timor Leste attended the three-day AYD until April 13 to exchange ideasand plan recommendations regarding digital development.
Their recommendations willbe submitted to ASEAN Leaders at the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Labuan Bajo, Indonesia, on May 11./.
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Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi (Photo: kemlu.go.id) 
