Indonesia-China Partnership to Accelerate Manufacturing Transformation

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Indonesian Ministry of Industry has established a strategic partnership with China to build a platform integrating digital technology and artificial intelligence (AI). The initiative is designed to accelerate the transformation of Indonesia’s manufacturing sector and strengthen its global competitiveness.

Industry Ministry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said the government is committed to reinforcing the domestic industry so it can compete internationally.

“Digitalization and the implementation of Industry 4.0 are key to realizing a smart, sustainable, and resilient manufacturing sector. This is necessary to navigate the global landscape while boosting productivity, accelerating innovation, and strengthening competitiveness,” Minister Agus said in Jakarta on Tuesday, April 14, 2026.

Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI) Head Doddy Rahadi noted that the industrial revolution is reshaping factory operations and requires a workforce with advanced technological skills.

He emphasized that the Ministry is driving cross-border collaboration to place Indonesian workers in advanced technology sectors, a concrete response to the challenges of rapid digitalization.

Center for Industrial Vocational Education Development (PPPVI) Head Wulan Aprilianti Permatasari explained that the alliance aims to deepen integration between industry and educational institutions across nations.

Governments and the private sectors from both countries will collaborate to cultivate high-quality technical talent. “Currently, alliance members include educational institutions and industries in Indonesia and China. We hope more institutions and companies will actively participate in future activities,” Wulan said.

Vice President of China’s Irootech Technology Co. Ltd., Ye Fei, said the company’s goal is to develop skilled talent through the platform and strengthen bilateral cooperation in vocational education.

Ye Fei plans to organize vocational skills competitions to support preparations for the international WorldSkills Competition, with a focus on fostering digital skills among Indonesia’s industrial workforce. “We hope to jointly explore vocational skills competitions and talent exchanges for the WorldSkills Competition, particularly in the digital industry sector, to promote the development of digital talent in Indonesia’s industrial sector,” Ye Fei said.

The Indonesian government currently supports 13 vocational higher education institutions and nine industrial vocational high schools (SMK). Registration for the 2026 Industrial Vocational Admission Pathway (JARVIS) has officially opened to the public and can be accessed at jarvis.kemenperin.go.id. (Gusti Panji/Lasti Martina)