Dr Hilman Palaon

Research Fellow, Indo-Pacific Development Centre
Dr Hilman Palaon
Biography
Publications
News and media

Dr Hilman Palaon is a Research Fellow at the Lowy Institute in the Indo-Pacific Development Centre. His work focuses on digital economy issues in the Indo-Pacific region. Hilman has extensive experience in government, development, engineering, fintech, digital platform, audit and consulting, and academia. He has previously worked for Ernst & Young, USAID, TNP2K (the Indonesian Government's National Team for the Acceleration of Poverty Reduction), Gojek/GOTO, and the Cambridge Centre for Alternative Finance at the University of Cambridge. He has also worked as a consultant/adviser for the Asian Development Bank, MoneyGram, Eachmile Technologies, Novus Technologies, and Protiviti.

Hilman holds a PhD in Management Science from the Bandung Institute of Technology, Indonesia. He studied in Germany and Spain for his postgraduate degrees: Process Engineering and Energy Technology at the University of Applied Sciences Bremerhaven, Global Management at the University of Applied Sciences Bremen, and International Marketing at the University of Valencia. His undergraduate degree is in Electrical Engineering from the University of Indonesia. His research interests are the digital economy, economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and technology innovation.

Indonesia takes a bite out of Apple, and sets itself a test for future investment
Indonesia takes a bite out of Apple, and sets itself a test for future investment
The Local Content Requirement may only be a temporary setback for the tech giant, but it could raise concerns among potential foreign investors.
Reducing the role of cash in Pacific Island economies
Reducing the role of cash in Pacific Island economies
From QR codes to mobile wallets, innovative tech solutions can help the region transition its financial ecosystem.
Amid defence deals, don't forget Prabowo's pledge to Indonesians
Commentary
Amid defence deals, don't forget Prabowo's pledge to Indonesians
Originally published in The Canberra Times
A glimpse into Indonesia's nickel policy
A glimpse into Indonesia's nickel policy
China has become a key partner, but locals pay the price and need more support to realise the benefits.
Digitising the social safety net: Lessons from Indonesia
Analyses
Digitising the social safety net: Lessons from Indonesia
Leapfrogging past the analogue delivery of social assistance is possible. Policy focus and careful design are the keys to success.
Indonesia's EV drive faces geopolitical headwinds
Commentary
Indonesia's EV drive faces geopolitical headwinds
Originally published on Nikkei Asia
Indonesia's free lunch program is cooking up economic change
Commentary
Indonesia's free lunch program is cooking up economic change
Originally published in East Asia Forum 
If industrial policy is the new candy house, developing countries need to gain more than just the bread crumbs
If industrial policy is the new candy house, developing countries need to gain more than just the bread crumbs
Local efforts to reshape national economies must account for the international implications.
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