Minister Reveals Strategies for Developing Indonesia's Industrial Sector

Jakarta: Minister of Industry Muhammad Sarmuji has revealed several strategies for developing the industrial sector going forward.

This is because the character of Indonesia's industrial sector has changed, especially as technology and information have developed.

"Although our industries used to be labor intensive, their character has changed. With information technology and increasingly advanced machinery, things have changed. That is why we need several basic strategies," Sarmuji said on Metro TV's Top Economy program on Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

He said the first strategy is to protect industries that employ more workers. This strategy, he added, must be followed by a transition strategy.

Sarmuji explained that Indonesian workers must adapt to new technology models, especially artificial intelligence (AI).

"We need to shift the types of skills our workers have. We can upskill them, improve their abilities, or add new skills," he added.

He said the third strategy is workforce transformation. According to him, Indonesian workers should not only be equipped with technical skills, but also with other skills that cannot be replaced, even by technology.

"For example, decision-making skills and the ability to see details beyond what machines can. We need to develop these skills, the ones that only humans can do," he explained.

Sarmuji said Indonesia's industrial sector is still the backbone of job creation. Nevertheless he admitted there are still several problems to solve.

"In terms of job creation, our industry is still the main backbone. The industrial sector is the main backbone for providing jobs," he said.

(Yaumil Tianri Rahmi)