ITS Vice Chancellor II Dr. Ir Machsus ST MT delivering his speech at CEO Talk 2024

ITS Campus, ITS News — Energy and economy are two important aspects that are closely related to the progress and strength of a country. Realizing this, the Sepuluh Nopember Institute of Technology (ITS) discussed it in the CEO Talk 2024 event with the theme Initiating Indonesia Tiger Asia Through Accelerated Economic Growth and Energy Security at the Mercure Surabaya Grand Mirama Hotel, Wednesday (11/9).

ITS Vice Rector II Dr. Ir Machsus ST MT said, the Asian tiger terminology was popular in the 1970s which began with stable economic growth in four Asian countries. The four countries are Singapore, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. “The reappearance of this idea is very appropriate with the momentum of the change of government to increase the spirit of Indonesia’s revival as an Asian tiger,” he said.

According to Machsus, this idea is in line with the spirit brought by the incoming government. There are two programs highlighted by Machsus from President Joko Widodo’s successor government. These programs are reducing extreme poverty to zero percent and economic growth of 8 percent. “This big dream is very likely to be realized if it is supported by strong leadership and the togetherness of all Indonesian people,” said the lecturer at the ITS Civil Infrastructure Engineering Department.

Former Deputy Governor of East Java H Emil Elestianto Dardak BBus MSc PhD as a guest speaker at CEO Talk 2024.

Meanwhile, former Deputy Governor of East Java H Emil Elestianto Dardak BBus MSc PhD revealed, if the terminology is slightly changed to tiger in Asia, Indonesia has even entered the criteria. The biggest reason is Indonesia’s status as a member of the G20, a multilateral cooperation forum that represents more than 75 percent of global trade.

There are two reasons why Indonesia is able to join the forum. The first reason is that Indonesia has been able to recover its economy relatively well after being hit by the monetary crisis in 1998. The second reason is Indonesia’s large population compared to other countries. “In fact, Indonesia has half the size of the economy of all countries in Southeast Asia,” he said.

However, Emil also highlighted the condition of Indonesia, which is still trapped in the middle income trap that prevents it from becoming a real “Asian tiger”. To overcome this problem, according to him, Indonesia can no longer rely solely on processing its limited natural resources.

Emil explained that one of the solutions that can be used is downstreaming, which has been started in the era of President Joko Widodo. Through this downstreaming, the higher the added value that Indonesia can produce on its natural resources. In addition, this solution is also able to create more jobs that ultimately help build the domestic economy.

ITS Vice Chancellor II Dr. Ir Machsus ST MT (center) witnesses the signing of the PKS between ITS and UPN Veteran East Java.

The presence of this CEO Talk itself is one form of ITS’s efforts in supporting Indonesia’s progress. The collaborative event of the ITS Center for Business and Industrial Public Policy Studies (PKKPBI) with various universities in Indonesia was also followed by a panel discussion. In accordance with the theme, this discussion also discusses energy and the economy.

In addition, two Cooperation Agreement (PKS) signings were also held. Namely the first PKS between ITS and the Association of Drinking Water Companies in Indonesia related to education and research. Next is the signing of the PKS between ITS and the National Development University (UPN) Veteran of East Java regarding education, research, and community service in the field of defense industry. (ITS P.R.)

Reporter: Muhammad Fadhil Alfaruqi