The government expresses optimism about micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women, driving local economies. With the MSME sector contributing 97% to the national economy and 60% of Indonesia's 37 million MSMEs managed by women, their role is substantial. Ferry Irawan, Deputy I for Macro Economy and Finance at the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, highlighted initiatives like food distribution posts (posko pangan) in various regions, stressing their impact on involving MSMEs in socio-economic development. The government aims to actively engage MSMEs in ensuring accessible and affordable food availability. This effort aligns with a civil society economic model prioritizing sustainable business practices, vital for improving living standards, household incomes, and contributing to national economic growth.
Concurrently, the Vice Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) for Maritime Affairs, Investment, and Foreign Affairs supported the government's focus on seven digital transformation initiatives. These include market digitalization, knowledge enhancement, financial accessibility improvement, advanced management techniques, increased production capacity, and streamlined distribution methods through digital platforms. For 'Indonesia Maju 2045', collaborative efforts between Kadin Indonesia, the Coordinating Ministry for Economic Affairs, and stakeholders aim to establish 100,000 food distribution posts across villages and districts by 2024, ensuring affordable food access. Initiatives like the National Simultaneous Food Distribution Post Festival, led by the Indonesian Women Entrepreneurs Cooperative (Inkowapi) and Sahabat Usaha Rakyat (Sahara), support micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises' sustainability, particularly those led by women. Inkowapi's Chairwoman, Sharmila Yahya, highlighted the festival's extensive reach across 25 provinces, involving numerous food distribution posts. This festival signifies a tangible step in supporting women's active participation in national and global entrepreneurial landscapes, offering significant opportunities within local entrepreneurial ecosystems, especially at the community level. Acknowledging that 99% of Indonesian MSMEs are micro-enterprises, policy-driven encouragement and market expansion are vital for advancing women-led businesses.
