Bank Indonesia names Belakang Padang as frontier digital economy icon

Batam (ANTARA) – The Riau Islands Representative Office of Bank Indonesia (BI) has designated Belakang Padang Island in Batam City as a frontier icon of Indonesia’s digital economy.In a statement on Sunday, Deputy Head of the BI Riau Islands Office, Ardhenius, noted that Belakang Padang Island has emerged as a window into Indonesia and a gateway for cross-border economic interactions, owing to its proximity to Singapore.”Belakang Padang Island has become an icon of the digital economy in the border region, where local cultures meet digital technology,” he pointed out.The official said Belakang Padang Island stands not only as a frontier but also as a bridge for Indonesian and Singaporean citizens to connect in digital economic transactions.”Our objective is to prove that digitalization is not exclusive to major cities, as it also reaches outermost islands that stand as windows into this country,” he added.Ardhenius highlighted that his office has launched an event designed to promote the use of the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS) payment method to further support digital economy growth on the island and in the Riau Islands as a whole.”We envision the activity as an educative and inclusive step toward expanding the reach of the benefits of digital payment for the wider public in their daily activities,” he elaborated.He further noted that the Riau Islands Province has seen rapid digitalization, with QRIS transactions reaching 33.9 million in 2024, representing a 117.31 percent increase from the previous year.”As of late September 2025, the number had hit 64.9 million,” he added, noting that transaction value reached Rp7.7 trillion (over US$460 million).He asserted that active public participation is essential for the province to sustain the favorable trend.Meanwhile, Head of the Riau Islands Economy and Development Bureau, Zulhendri, appreciated BI for assisting the provincial government in broadening the reach of digital economic services and facilities to outer islands.He emphasized that the government remains committed to advancing digitalization by promoting the use of QRIS not only in Batam City but also in remote areas such as the districts of Natuna, Lingga, and Anambas Islands.