Indonesia supports business development through four pillars
Indonesia’s government is supporting the building of an ecosystem that helps enhance the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan has said.
Indonesia’s Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan and State-Owned Enterprises Minister Erick Thohir met with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSME) players in Binjai, North Sumatra, on January 17. (Photo: ANTARA)
Jakarta (VNA) – Indonesia’sgovernment is supporting the building of an ecosystem that helps enhance thecompetitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Trade MinisterZulkifli Hasan has said.
The government is integrating four pillars, including MSMEs, modern retail, marketplaces, and banking into oneecosystem, he said during a meeting with MSMEs in Binjai city, NorthSumatra, on January 17.
The official emphasised that the Trade Ministry continues to support thedevelopment of MSMEs through a four-pillar programme to improve their competitiveness.
The minister said he expects MSMEs in Binjai city to collaborate to supply their products to modernretailers in North Sumatra as well as take part in training courses to develop theircapacity to enter the digital market.
The 💞government supports SME(small and medium enterprise) financing, such as through cooperation with banksunder the people's business credit scheme, he added./.
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