Trade Minister Zulhas: Traditional Stalls Have Great Potential To Increase National Economy

Minister of Trade, Zulkifli Hasan. (Doc. Public Relations Bureau of the Ministry of Trade)

JAKARTA - Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan said traditional shops or stalls as micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) have the potential for rice to improve national economic progress.

Currently, continued Zulkifli Hasan, traditional stalls are still the people's most real economic power. So, it needs to be seriously considered and worked on its development strategy.

This was conveyed by Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan when inaugurating the Numan Jamaah Shop in Yogyakarta, Central Java, Sunday, September 17.

"The existence of traditional shops or stalls has enormous potential in improving people's welfare and national economic progress. Don't take the power of warung lightly," he said.

The man who is familiarly called Zulhas also appreciated Nahdlatul Ulama (NU) for his initiative to jointly partner with Bank Mandiri and the Mandiri Indogrosir (TMI) Store in the Jamaah Numan Store.

Furthermore, Zulhas with the presence of this shop can motivate Nahdliyin residents to achieve economic independence.

"NU's partnership with Bank Mandiri and TMI at the Jamhariyah Islamic Boarding School can improve the economy of independent Islamic boarding schools and provide opportunities for students to become entrepreneurs," he explained.

Zulhas assessed that the Toko Jamaah Numan is an example of a mutually beneficial strategic partnership. In addition, it can be a forum for education and facilities for students to learn entrepreneurship. In the long term, this is considered to be a positive contribution to the MSME ecosystem in the country.

"Santri who have finished boarding or want to be entrepreneurs in the retail sector, have gained valuable images and experiences. Thus, in the future our MSMEs will also progress," he said.

For your information, 60 percent of Gross Domestic Products (GDP) are contributions from Indonesia's 65.46 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and absorb 117 million workers or 97 percent of the total workforce.

Therefore, Zulhas assessed that the synergy between parties was highly appreciated to strengthen the four pillars of increasing the competitiveness of MSMEs, namely MSME innovation, partnership access, digitalization access, and access to financing.