Need for Productivity and Innovation in Asia's Growth Raises in Joint Conference

RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta – Academicians and experts from across Asia, along with global organizations such as the World Bank, gathered at a joint conference on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, to discuss the long-term development vision of Asian countries. The country's Ministry of National Development Planning (PPN/Bappenas), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank Institute (ADBI), held the two-day conference virtually.

Dean and CEO of ADBI Bambang Brodjonegoro, said in his opening remarks that moving from middle-income to high-income status is far more difficult, despite Asia’s rapid growth over the past five decades. He said that productivity, technological innovation, and effective institutions are therefore crucial for countries seeking to sustain economic growth.

"As economies develop, the sources of growth must also change. Competitiveness can no longer depend primarily on lower costs, accumulation of capital, or the movement of workers from agriculture into manufacturing," Bambang said, as monitored by RRI Voice of Indonesia.

"Sustaining growth increasingly requires higher productivity, technology upgrading, innovation, better skills, and institutions that can respond effectively to a more complex economy," he said.

Bambang conveyed the experience of developed countries in Asia and around the world reminds that there is no single formula for achieving success. He emphasized the importance of a steadfast commitment to fundamentals such as education, technology, and good governance.

"Long-term development planning is not about predicting exactly what an economy will look like 20 or 30 years from now. It is about setting a clear direction while building the institutions, human capital and productive capabilities that allow a country to adapt as technologies, markets, demographics and the global environment change," he said.

Echoing these views, Vice Minister of National Development Planning, Febrian Alphyanto Ruddyard, said Asian countries now need growth that builds stronger productive capacity for the future. He said this can be achieved through higher productivity, innovation, stronger human capital, more robust industries, and more resilient institutions.

"And this is where planning becomes important. Planning cannot simply be about producing documents; it must help governments make better decisions," he said.

Febrian said Indonesia has made its choice through the National Long-Term Development Plan and the Golden Indonesia 2045 (Indonesia Emas 2045) vision to escape the middle-income trap and become a developed, high-income country. He expressed hope that the conference would contribute to this vision while also strengthening cooperation between his ministry and its development partners.

"The future of Asia will depend not only on how quickly each country grows, but also on how well countries learn from one another, adapt, and turn long-term ambitions into sustainable implementation," he said.