Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia and Russia have agreed to deepen strategic cooperation in communication and digital technology, further strengthening their 75-year diplomatic relations.
Deputy Minister of Communication and Digital Affairs Nezar Patria highlighted that the cooperation encompasses various areas, including the development of 5G cellular technology networks, broadband expansion, digital ecosystems, e-commerce, postal services, and the latest digital technologies.
"We are open to cooperation in various possibilities, including telecommunications, digital ecosystems, e-commerce, postal services, and emerging technologies," he stated after a meeting with Russian Deputy Minister of Digital Development, Communication, and Mass Communication, Andrey Zarenin, in Jakarta on Tuesday (April 15).
Patria emphasized Indonesia's interest in enhancing international connectivity, including through bandwidth expansion for global internet and data transmission.
He noted that Indonesia requires a fast internet network at a low cost, like in Russia, where users can access speeds of 100 Mbps for under US$4.
Indonesia and Russia had earlier collaborated on digital talent training for state civil servants (ASN) and also held public lectures at several universities in Indonesia, Patria remarked.
The deputy minister also expressed hope for further cooperation in the media industry to facilitate information exchange between Russia and Indonesia and develop digital skills.
"We hope this meeting can generate an initiative to create an MoU between Indonesia and Russia to emphasize the commitment to digital development and also the media," he affirmed.
Meanwhile, Deputy Minister Zarenin expressed Russia's readiness to strengthen synergy with Indonesia in digital transformation.
He believes this can be realized through the exchange of best technologies and expertise, as well as the establishment of the Indonesia-Russia Joint Commission for Information Technology and Digital Society.
"I see the future of Indonesia-Russia relations and its wider opportunities," he stated.
Zarenin also highlighted the opportunity for cooperation with leading technology companies from Russia related to fiber optic backbone network infrastructure solutions and Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) technology.
"I am sure we will initiate important agreements in information technology and media between governments and companies," he noted.
