Digital solutions key to meeting Indonesia’s demand for assistive technology
JAKARTA, 7 February 2024 – Rapidly growing demand for health care services in Indonesia is driving demand for digital solutions to improve access to quality care for people with disability. That’s the conclusion of a study released today, which found that technology such as emotional and conversational artificial intelligence, assistive robotics and social companions, and specialised hiring and learning tools, tailored for Indonesia, can transform the lives of people with disability.
The study, Inclusion is the Future: Opportunities for Enhanced Bilateral Trade and Investment between Indonesia and Australia in Medical Devices and Assistive Technology, was published by the government backed Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (IA-CEPA) Economic Cooperation Program Katalis.
“Strong demand and relatively fewer market entry barriers for digital health services and assistive technology are creating opportunities in Indonesia not just for economic growth, but to genuinely improve lives of people with disability. Indonesia and Australia can work together to meet this demand, at the intersection between trade, digital solutions, and assistive technology,” said Paul Bartlett, Director, Katalis.
There is a growing number of assistive technology providers in Indonesia with a wide range of products and services. However, accessibility and affordability remain major barriers to accessing AT in Indonesia, with significant and growing unmet needs particularly for women and rural populations. A key factor influencing price and availability is the local content requirement which mandates at least 40% local content for medical devices and assistive technology. The local content requirement, among other policies, have deterred trade, especially with Australia, in assistive technology, even though its assistive technology industry is internationally recognized for its innovation, quality and competitiveness.
Katalis research has identified that digital assistive technology and health services face fewer trade barriers and therefore provide an exciting near-term opportunity to enhance bilateral trade and reduce the significant unmet need for assistive technology. In addition, the study revealed that there is high demand but limited offers of digital assistive technology solutions that are tailored to the digitally savvy Indonesian market. The study findings suggest that commercial partnerships for digital solutions like text to-speech, screen magnifiers, screen readers, video communication tools, and augmentative and alternative communication devices designed for Indonesia have strong potential for success.
This new study by Katalis is the first step in helping manufacturers, consumers and industry in both countries to understand the limitless potential in this market, and lay foundations for further growth in bilateral trade.
About Katalis
IA-CEPA ECP Katalis (Katalis) is a unique, five-year (2020-2025) government-backed business development program unlocking the vast potential of economic partnership between Australia and Indonesia. Katalis was established under the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Economic Cooperation Program (IA-CEPA ECP). The program complements other Australian development programs with a commercially oriented, bilateral approach and places gender equality and social inclusion at the centre of everything we do.
Information and media contact
Ms. Adhi Fitri Dinastiar, Katalis Communications Officer
adhi.dinastiar@iacepa-katalis.org, +62 822-2685-4874
