Kadin Optimistic MSMEs Will Strengthen Indonesia's Economic Awakening

Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Arsjad Rasjid. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) is optimistic that the empowerment of the people's economy, which is realized in the form of MSMEs, will strengthen Indonesia's economic revival in the midst of the current global challenges. "To rise up and become strong from the current global economic challenges, everyone agrees that inclusive multi-partisan cooperation at the global level must touch MSMEs, because MSMEs are none other than young entrepreneurs, women, and ultra-micro business actors at the grassroots level," said Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Arsjad Rasjid in a release, quoted from Antara, Tuesday, October 4. Thus, according to Arsjad Rasjid, the empowerment of the people's economy is one way to maintain Indonesia's economic growth in the midst of global economic challenges. He said that as a partner who always supports the government, Kadin has made various efforts to encourage the people's economy so that it can grow innovatively, inclusively, and collaboratively. Arsjad explained that at the national level all relevant parties must be stronger in synergizing to support MSMEs as the backbone of the economy to grow and develop. He reminded that the G20 momentum, which was held this year in Indonesia, could be used to achieve this goal. "This momentum is strengthened by Indonesia's position as the host of the G20 countries meeting, which will decide a number of world economic agendas in line with Indonesia's face as a representative of developing countries," he said. Arsjad said he was optimistic that Indonesia could maintain economic growth. According to him, the momentum of economic growth in the second quarter which reached around 5.44 percent, is a reflection of the revival and resilience of the national economy in front of the challenges of the pandemic and global economic turmoil. Kadin Indonesia, he said, had taken a number of innovative steps to encourage MSMEs to advance to class, and became a support for people's welfare, such as through a network of partnerships, KADIN Indonesia has realized various assistance-based projects attached or inclusive-closed loop partnerships. "This assistance has been carried out in Garut, West Java. The horticultural farmer group, which received assistance, experienced an increase in productivity of 12 to 15 percent. Increased productivity also had an impact on increasing profit, which reached around 27 percent compared to before assistance," he said. In addition, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry also provides assistance to chili farmer groups in Ciawi, Bogor, West Java. According to Arsjad Rasjid, with intensive assistance using technology, there was a five-time planting expansion, from one hectare to five hectares and resulted in a double increase in marketing. The profit of farmers, which originally reached Rp. 30 million per hectare, increased to Rp. 60 million per hectare. “ To encourage similar inclusive collaboration, the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry presents Wiki-Wirausaha innovation, a platform that bridges the occurrence of partnerships between MSME actors, entrepreneurs, and financial institutions that are ready to help MSMEs to advance to class," he said.