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Minister Airlangga mentioned the adequacy of resources possessed by the Tony Blair Institute (TBI) is expected to support digitalization efforts.

As one of the pillars in the strategy to drive national economic growth, inclusive finance for various societal groups continues to be promoted by the Government by enhancing equitable access to quality formal financial services at affordable costs according to the needs of people in various regions.

During the visit of former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Tony Blair to the Office of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, Friday (19/04), Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto discussed efforts to promote financial inclusivity, one of which is through digitalization. Taking into account the adequacy of resources possessed by the Tony Blair Institute (TBI), it is hoped to support these digitalization efforts.

"We want to encourage digitalization to be inclusive, so we are discussing digital infrastructure, data centers, Artificial Intelligent (AI) regulations, and cybersecurity," Minister Airlangga expressed as quoted from the website of the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Furthermore, Minister Airlangga also explained that they also discussed energy transition, especially related to the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETPI), Asia Zero Emission Community (AZEC), and efforts to realize energy transition, one of which is through the development of Solar Power Plants (PLTS) in the Capital City of Nusantara (IKN) prepared for 1.2 Gigawatts.

Moreover, Minister Airlangga and Tony Blair also discussed geopolitical issues that are currently emerging amidst global uncertainty. The conflicts in the Middle East region that are currently occurring are certainly undesirable problems for various countries, thus preferring to exercise restraint. For Indonesia's interests, geopolitical stability is expected to become more conducive to providing better impacts, especially for the national economic conditions.

"First, of course, we must maintain the Indo-Pacific region as a peaceful area, so if the Indo-Pacific region becomes a conflict-free zone, economic growth can be encouraged. In the future, the Indo-Pacific region will become one of the regions of global concern, so certainly among the Indo-Pacific regions, Indonesia's position is very strategic, and for that reason, the Tony Blair Institute is ready to assist," Minister Airlangga concluded.

Accompanying Minister Airlangga on this occasion were Deputy for Macro-Economic Coordination and Finance Ferry Irawan, Deputy for Food and Agribusiness Coordination Dida Gardera, Deputy for International Economic Cooperation Coordination Edi Prio Pambudi, as well as Economic Affairs Ministry Advisors Rizal Edwin Manansang and Raden Pardede. (IN)