Jakarta, 13 March 2021 – PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom) supports the development of the national sharia economy and digital economy by providing infrastructure and a digital ecosystem. This is in accordance with the sharia and digital economy’s significant contribution to gross domestic product (GDP) and the government's target to make Indonesia the mecca of the global sharia economy in 2024, as revealed by President Director of PT Telkom Indonesia (Persero) Tbk (Telkom), Ririek Adriansyah in his presentation at the online inauguration of the Center for Sharia Finance & Digital Economy (Shafiec) Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta and the National Sharia Finance Forum (12/3).

Digitalization is one of the solutions and enablers to accelerate various industrial sectors growth, including the conventional and Islamic financial sectors. There has been rapid growth in global and national Islamic economics and finance during the last two decades. The use of digital technology in the Islamic economy will enable more effective and efficient business processes, expand market potential and collaboration, and strengthen its reputation as a credible, modern and sophisticated Islamic financial institution.

“Telkom consistently and sustainably contributes by focusing on developing three digital business pillars to encourage national digital transformation in various business sectors in Indonesia. Telkom believes that digitalization can support the business sector and can be an enabler to support the five priorities in Advanced Indonesia vision," Ririek said.

Ririek said that Telkom supports the government's vision to make Indonesia the center of the global  sharia economy by 2024, among which by offering LinkAja Syariah services as a sharia-based online payment system. LinkAja's Syariah services make it easier for users to purchase and pay their daily needs such as bill payments, electricity tokens, transportation services, shopping at markets and supermarkets, to Islamic activities such as paying alms and qurbani sacrifices. These services are available after obtaining a Sharia Conformity certification permit from the DSN of the Indonesian Ulema Council and Bank Indonesia.

Moreover, Telkom and other state-owned enterprises also provide full support to foster MSMEs in improving Indonesia's digital economy, such as through the Rumah BUMN (SOE House) initiative throughout Indonesia. Ririek said that there are more than 50,000 MSME entrepreneurs that are using digital platforms such as social media channels to market their products. In August last year, the Minister of SOEs launched the MSME Digital Market (PaDi MSMEs), on which Telkom and eight other SOEs, carried out the SOE Ministry's initiative in providing access to MSMEs to secure markets transaction with SOEs.

To develop Indonesia's digital economy, Telkom has a a startup incubation program, Indigo, which Telkom manages to encourage innovation development in Indonesia. Indigo provides initial funding for startups and access to collaboration synergies with all TelkomGroup subsidiaries as well as other SOEs. Meanwhile, to develop digital talent, Telkom is establishing the Indonesia Telecommunication and Digital Research Institute (ITDRI) as a medium for more optimal integration of research, innovation, and development of digital talent.

“The use of digital technology is very important to accelerate Indonesia's digital economy growth. Telkom Indonesia will continue to innovate and encourage digital transformation in various sectors #ForBetterIndonesia," Ririek said.