Last 7th July 2021, IDEAS hosted “IDEAS’ Online Discussion: ASEAN’s Digital Economy and the Post-COVID Recovery”. It was the second leg of the discussion series under the ASEAN Prosperity Initiative. Three distinguished speakers joined the moderator, IDEAS’ External Relations Director, Zokhri Idris, PhD, to have a fruitful exchange.The first speaker, Dr Jayant Menon from ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute, kicked off the discussion by mentioning that the pandemic hastened the move towards the digital economy thus, caused unequal access depending on income class. The biggest concern is the loss of jobs due to automation, as robotics affects low-skilled and repetitive tasks. On the positive side, he stated that Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) could enhance economic inclusion simply through increasingly affordable smartphones. In turn, this will increase connectivity, improve agricultural income and support micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Dr Menon concluded that long-term, systemic changes are required to address challenges posed by 4IR, including rising inequality. There is a need for transforming education and life-long learning and creating deeper local capital and financial markets.
The second speaker, Dr Jasmine Begum of Microsoft Malaysia, highlighted the ASEAN digital divide where there is a big gap on the internet and fixed broadband penetration. She mentioned that the path to economic recovery and resilience where we should embrace opportunities and ensure continuity by thinking: 1) technology as a platform, 2) innovation as a culture, and 3) education as digital upskilling. Dr Jasmine suggested three opportunities in terms of policy; firstly, free flow of data. Secondly, skills as the new currency. Thirdly, digital infrastructure and fourthly, digital free trade agreements.The third speaker, Surina Shukri, the CEO of MDEC, spoke about democratizing digital and capitalizing on digital economy and 4IR growth. She pointed out namely scale through partner, build digital platforms, commercial sustainability, innovate leapfrog strategies and solidify with policies and the MDEC strategies to implement policies. Lastly, Surina mentioned four key thrusts of MDEC called NADI, which are: 1) New skills, 2) Adoption, 3) Disruptors, and 4) Investments.
For those who missed the webinar session and would like to watch it, the video recording of the webinar is available below.
The second speaker, Dr Jasmine Begum of Microsoft Malaysia, highlighted the ASEAN digital divide where there is a big gap on the internet and fixed broadband penetration. She mentioned that the path to economic recovery and resilience where we should embrace opportunities and ensure continuity by thinking: 1) technology as a platform, 2) innovation as a culture, and 3) education as digital upskilling. Dr Jasmine suggested three opportunities in terms of policy; firstly, free flow of data. Secondly, skills as the new currency. Thirdly, digital infrastructure and fourthly, digital free trade agreements.The third speaker, Surina Shukri, the CEO of MDEC, spoke about democratizing digital and capitalizing on digital economy and 4IR growth. She pointed out namely scale through partner, build digital platforms, commercial sustainability, innovate leapfrog strategies and solidify with policies and the MDEC strategies to implement policies. Lastly, Surina mentioned four key thrusts of MDEC called NADI, which are: 1) New skills, 2) Adoption, 3) Disruptors, and 4) Investments.For those who missed the webinar session and would like to watch it, the video recording of the webinar is available below.
