Strengthening Digital Transactions: BPS Pushes for Enhanced E-Commerce Data Reporting

Statistics Indonesia (BPS) has ramped up efforts to enhance data reporting in the e-commerce sector through a key dissemination event held in Jakarta on Tuesday (10/12). Themed “Digital Transactions to Strengthen the Foundation for Transformation Towards Golden Indonesia 2045,” the event aimed to evaluate 2024's digital trade activities and bolster reporting compliance among e-commerce operators.

The forum drew prominent speakers, including Danang Sri Wibowo, Policy Analyst at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs; Rifan Ardianto, Director of E-Commerce and Trade in Services at the Ministry of Trade; and Mario Josko, Trade Supervisor at the Ministry of Trade. Representing BPS were Pipit Helly Sorayan, Director of Expenditure Accounts, and Joko Parmiyanto, Director of Statistical Information Systems.

Pipit highlighted the progress in collaboration between the government and private sector, noting that 61 out of 136 registered e-commerce operators had submitted their data to BPS as of January 2024. “This cooperation, which has been in place since 2017, is essential for accurately capturing Indonesia’s growing digital transactions,” she stated before an audience of nearly 300 participants.

Mandatory reporting applies to operators across various business models, including marketplaces, electronic retail platforms, ride-hailing services, classified ads, social commerce, daily deals, and price comparison sites. The data collected encompasses company details, workforce statistics, revenue, expenses, and transaction volumes.

Danang Sri Wibowo called for greater optimization of BPS's role as a Regional Hub on Big Data and Data Science for Asia and the Pacific. “BPS is pivotal in integrating Big Data to complement official statistics and support Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) indicators,” he said. Mario Josko from the Ministry of Trade echoed the importance of timely and accurate submissions, pledging his ministry’s oversight of e-commerce operators’ compliance.

Beyond compliance, the discussions shed light on the broader benefits of data submission. Businesses stand to gain insights into market trends, develop robust strategies, enhance consumer trust, and access government support. Meanwhile, the government leverages this data to craft evidence-based policies and evaluate initiatives critical to the sector’s growth.

The event marked another step forward in strengthening the e-commerce sector as Indonesia continues its journey toward becoming a digital economic powerhouse by 2045.