In Order To Create Business Inclusive, ASEAN IB Summit 2023 Agrees On These 4 Action Plans

The Sixth Asean Inclusive Business Summit 2023 event which was held in the Nusa Dua area, Bali, on August 22-25, 2023. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

BALI - The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM) revealed that there are four action plans that have been agreed as an effort to create inclusive MSME businesses in the ASEAN region.

Deputy for Entrepreneurship of the Ministry of Cooperatives, SMEs Siti Azizah, said that as many as 10 ASEAN countries had agreed on the four action plans, namely action policies, inclusive business development, access to MSME financing, and an inclusive business hub.

"All countries convey the program and it looks all the same. So, we have one language, for ASEAN," Deputy Siti Azizah told reporters at the Sixth Asean Inclusive Business Summit 2023 event in the Nusa Dua area, Bali, on Thursday, August 24.

Deputy Azizah said that almost all ASEAN countries have approved an inclusive business to promote ASEAN in the eyes of the world market.

"As the minister (Teten Masduki) said many times, that ASEAN has a large population, we should not only be used as a market (market), but also as a producer for the world," he said.

Even so, ASEAN state members do not deny the challenges that must be faced to make this happen, namely regarding access to financing. Azizah assessed that all ASEAN countries have similarities regarding the issue of access to financing.

"So, we have to go through this together, because all countries seem to have the same challenges. That is, after this commitment, we have the next follow-up which we hope will also be brought by Laos next year," said Azizah.

Furthermore, Azizah invited all ASEAN countries not to stop here, but inclusive business declarations must continue to be echoed in the future.

"So, don't stop here and indeed from the start we designed this Summit. We convey to all collaborators that we don't want this to be just ceremonial, but it is truly a commitment from all countries that we will advance an inclusive business," he concluded.