The Ministry of Industry has issued various strategic policies to improve the performance of the industrial sector amid the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, one of which is by creating an innovation ecosystem to support the acceleration of national economic recovery."One of the challenges faced in the recovery of the national economy is to create a conducive innovation ecosystem between industries, associations, academics, and government institutions, so that they can synergize and collaborate together to build a strong and independent industry," said Minister of Industry (Menperin) Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita in Jakarta, Tuesday.

The Minister of Industry explained the efforts to create an innovation ecosystem in the industrial sector in accordance with the implementation of the Making Indonesia 4.0 roadmap.

"This program prioritizes the development of seven industrial sectors in implementing technology in their production processes to increase the efficiency and competitiveness of the national industry," he said in a written statement.

The seven sectors are the food and beverage industry, textile and clothing, automotive, chemical, electronics, pharmaceutical, and medical devices. These sectors were chosen because they can contribute 70 percent of total manufacturing GDP, 65 percent of manufacturing exports, and 60 percent of industrial workers.

"In the third quarter of 2021, we are optimistic that the growth of the industrial and economic sectors can increase," said Minister of Industry Agus.

"In the third quarter of 2021, we are optimistic that the growth of the industrial and economic sectors can increase," said Minister of Industry Agus.

Throughout the second quarter of 2021, the non-oil and gas processing industry grew by 6.91 percent, which was able to provide the largest contributor to national GDP growth, reaching 17.34 percent.

Head of the Industrial Services Standardization and Policy Agency (BSKJI) Doddy Rahadi added that in order to support the strengthening of the innovation ecosystem in the industrial sector, the Palembang Industrial Research and Standardization Center (Baristand) held a national seminar attended by 500 participants from representatives of associations and industry, practitioners, academics, as well as central and local government agencies.

This online activity has the theme The Role of the Industrial Sector in Accelerating National Recovery.

"This national seminar is held as a forum for constructive communication and discussion to be able to exchange information in optimizing the role of each stakeholder to support the strengthening of national industry in the pandemic era," he said.

According to Doddy, national industrial development rests on three pillars, namely strengthening industrial structures, mastering technology, and improving the quality of human resources (HR).

"This seminar also aims to publish technology to industry and stakeholders as an effort to build an independent, resilient and competitive national industry in strengthening the national industry," said Doddy.

Another factor in accelerating the national economic recovery is the importance of development and readiness of industrial human resources.

Doddy hopes that the ideas from the seminar can increase understanding of industrial technology and become a basis for decision making for relevant stakeholders.

"In addition, the published paper will produce several policy recommendations for stakeholders," said Doddy.