Work From Mall is the Government's Strategy to Keep the Economy Fast at the End of the Year

Coordinating Minister for the Economy of the Republic of Indonesia Airlangga Hartarto (Aris Nurjani/VOI) 

JAKARTA - The government continues to intensify various strategic steps to maintain the pace of national economic growth amid global dynamics.

The efforts are carried out through strengthening domestic consumption, optimizing the tourism sector, and developing the digital economy.

One of the approaches that is now being encouraged is the optimal use of public spaces, by making shopping centers not only as a place for retail transactions, but also as a center of economic activity that encourages productivity, creativity, and the involvement of MSMEs and digital economic actors.

This step was taken to ensure that the wheels of the economy continue to move towards the end of the year, as people's mobility increases during the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Therefore, the government encourages synergy between the Work From Anywhere (WFA) policy, including Work From Mall (WFM), with various national shopping programs to create momentum for family economic movement in line with the school holiday period.

"If we look at it, all sales at each store have discounts of up to 50 percent, even some have added another 25 percent, plus another 10 percent cashback," said Coordinating Minister for Economic Affairs Airlangga Hartarto when reviewing the readiness of the implementation of the Work From Mall program to support the BINA program and Indonesia Great Sale at Pondok Indah Mall Jakarta, quoted Sunday, December 28.

According to him, this is what is encouraged to increase public consumption and maintain economic growth, and almost all malls are crowded, and it is hoped that this program can run smoothly and encourage economic activity.

The Shop in Indonesia Only program is an initiative of the Indonesian Association of Retailers and Shopping Center Tenants (Hippindo) which is carried out simultaneously at various shopping centers throughout Indonesia.

This program targets transaction values of up to Rp30 trillion until January 4, 2025, after being preceded by a number of other national shopping programs.

In total, the Government targets that the turnover of community spending by the end of the year can exceed Rp. 110 trillion.

In addition to encouraging domestic consumption, this series of national shopping programs also opens wider opportunities for MSMEs to be involved in the modern retail ecosystem and the presence of MSMEs in shopping centers is considered important in creating inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

From the tourism sector, shopping tourism activities are also positioned as an attraction for foreign tourists and this is in line with the achievements of the national tourism sector which recorded a significant recovery after the pandemic, with the number of foreign tourist visits reaching more than 15 million people throughout this year.

On the other hand, the government also continues to strengthen international trade cooperation to expand market access and strengthen the foundation of the national economy, as well as a number of trade agreements agreed upon throughout this year as an important step in improving Indonesia's competitiveness at the global level.

Through the Work From Mall concept, Airlangga conveyed that the Government encourages shopping centers to function as alternative workspaces that support the development of the digital economy and the gig economy.

He added that this program will be implemented gradually in a number of provinces with the support of local governments and technology companies, utilizing existing facilities such as internet connections, electricity supply, and other supporting services.

"Once again, malls are not just places to shop, but can also be used for economic activities or work. Well, we are now encouraging gig economic activities and this will be prepared for the budget by the DKI Government. We will work in 15 provinces and will be supported by companies that are engaged in the IT sector. So if those who are engaged in the gig economy need a laptop charger, wifi, and coffee. Well, it's all in the mall," concluded Airlangga.