During a meeting with the United States-ASEAN Business Council (US-ABC) delegation in Jakarta, Indonesia’s Minister of Communication and Digital, Meutya Hafid, emphasised the government’s commitment to advancing technology and digital infrastructure as a foundation for economic expansion.
Minister Hafid was joined by Deputy Minister of Communications and Technology Nezar Patria and Secretary General Mira Tayyiba, highlighting the government’s unified commitment to fostering international cooperation.
The discussions mark a significant step in strengthening Indonesia-U.S. economic relations and reaffirm Indonesia’s position as a dynamic player in the global digital economy. By leveraging international partnerships, Indonesia seeks to drive technological advancements, create employment opportunities, and achieve sustainable economic growth.
Minister Hafid has invited U.S. entrepreneurs to enhance collaboration in digital business sectors, aligning with President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to achieve 8% national economic growth. This initiative highlights opportunities for cooperation in critical areas, such as data centres, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity.
“The President is very focused on improving the technology sector, particularly data centres, security, and artificial intelligence,” she stated.
Minister Hafid further explained the restructuring of the ministry into the Ministry of Communication and Digital, a strategic move aimed at boosting the digital sector’s contributions to Indonesia’s economy. According to her, this transformation aligns with the government’s efforts to accelerate innovation, bridge digital divides, and attract investments that can drive sustainable growth.
Beyond technology, she highlighted opportunities for collaboration in broader areas of economic relations between Indonesia and the U.S.
“We want this cooperation to not only bring benefits to Indonesia but also strengthen relations with the U.S. on multiple fronts – both government-to-government (G2G) and business-to-business (B2B),” she said.
The meeting underscored the importance of fostering strong business partnerships to unlock Indonesia’s digital potential. Minister Hafid’s invitation reflects Indonesia’s strategy to position itself as a regional leader in digital transformation and economic modernisation.
US-ABC Senior Vice President and Regional Managing Director Brian McFeeters expressed enthusiasm about the growing U.S. business presence in Indonesia. According to McFeeters, U.S. companies have shown increasing interest in Indonesia’s market, with over 50 U.S. companies now operating in the country; an all-time high for US-ABC’s engagements.
“In this room alone, we have 23 companies specialising in various sectors relevant to this discussion. Additionally, we’ve brought a large delegation to hold simultaneous meetings across key areas of focus,” McFeeters said.
McFeeters emphasised that the growing U.S.-Indonesia business ties reflect a mutual understanding of economic priorities and opportunities. To further support this cooperation, the US-ABC has commissioned a sectoral study on Indonesia’s business opportunities and economic policies. The study aims to provide insights into Indonesia’s evolving digital and economic landscape.
“As part of this mission, we prepared a sectoral study paper with our Indonesian team, supported by two leading companies who have extensive expertise in these sectors,” McFeeters explained. He expressed hope that the findings would serve as a foundation for enhancing business cooperation and investments.
OpenGov Asia reported that the U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce, Marisa Lago led a delegation to Indonesia to strengthen economic ties, focusing on smart cities, digital infrastructure and sustainability. The mission aligns with Indonesia’s digital transformation goals and its U.S. partnership for technological advancement.
Under Secretary Lago met with officials, business leaders, and women entrepreneurs to boost cooperation, gender empowerment, and urban development. She also inaugurated a U.S.-funded smart city command centre in Nusantara, reinforcing U.S. support for Indonesia’s sustainable growth and digital innovation.
Such engagements serve as a strategic platform to align Indonesia’s priorities with U.S. businesses, focusing on innovation, technology and economic resilience. By welcoming U.S. expertise and investments, Indonesia aims to accelerate its digital economy while strengthening bilateral ties with one of its key economic partners.
