Government Intensifies Empowerment of MSMEs for National Economic Equality

Jakarta – MSMEs play a central role in the Indonesian economy, as seen from their contribution of more than 60% to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and absorbing around 97% of the workforce.

With a number exceeding 64 million business units, MSMEs are the irreplaceable backbone in maintaining the country’s economic stability.

However, the contribution of MSMEs to national exports is still around 15.7%.

The government is committed to continuing to increase this figure to support the export growth target of around 9% in the next five years.

Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto explained that President Prabowo Subianto has shown his support for MSMEs in the first 100 days of his leadership.

One of the important initiatives that has been taken is the policy of debt cancellation and write-off for MSME actors.

“This is a real government commitment to the community,” said Airlangga.

Furthermore, the government will also provide interest subsidies of up to 5% for investment credit taken by MSMEs engaged in labor-intensive sectors such as textiles, garments, footwear, furniture, and food and beverages.

This step is expected to increase the production capacity of MSMEs to meet the needs of the export market.

Not only that, the government is also focusing on increasing financial inclusion which has currently reached 88.7%.

Airlangga said that this is one of the main priorities in the 2025-2045 National Long-Term Development Plan (RPJPN).

Minister of Trade Budi Santoso also emphasized his commitment to accelerating and facilitating the export of MSME products through the MSME BISA (Dare to Innovate, Ready to Adapt) Export program.

“We will collaborate with MSME coaches and aggregators to accelerate the growth of MSME exports,” said Budi.

He also said that the Ministry of Trade has appointed the Directorate General of National Export Development as the coordinator of the MSME BISA Export Ecosystem Dialogue Forum.

On the other hand, BRI continues to demonstrate its active role in supporting MSMEs through the BRI UMKM EXPO (RT) 2025.

BRI President Director, Sunarso, said that this event is targeted to be able to generate export contracts of up to IDR 1.4 trillion.

“Last year the export contract reached IDR 1.3 trillion, this year we hope it can increase to IDR 1.4 trillion,” he said.

A total of 1,000 superior MSMEs were exhibited at this event after going through a strict selection process. The potential buyers are expected to increase from 30 countries to 33 countries with a target of 50 thousand visitors. []