Indonesia targets 10 million new entrepreneurs in five years

Our goal is not only to increase transactions but also to encourage more people to become entrepreneurs,

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar has urged the Indonesian E-Commerce Association (idEA) and online marketplace operators to support the government's target of creating 10 million new entrepreneurs over the next five years.

"The digital ecosystem must be leveraged to create broader economic opportunities for the public. Our goal is not only to increase transactions but also to encourage more people to become entrepreneurs, develop products, and gain access to markets," Iskandar said on Thursday.

He made the remarks during a meeting with representatives of idEA and digital platform operators at his office in Jakarta.

Iskandar stressed that achieving the target of creating 10 million new entrepreneurs would require active participation from various stakeholders, including business associations and digital platform operators.

He instructed ministry officials to coordinate with idEA and other relevant stakeholders to establish concrete partnerships aimed at expanding micro, small, and medium enterprises' (MSMEs) access to digital markets.

The minister also called for greater support for products made by MSMEs participating in capacity-building programs run by the Ministry of MSMEs, the Ministry of Cooperatives, the Ministry of Villages, and the Ministry for the Protection of Indonesian Migrant Workers.

He also emphasized the importance of maximizing the 2026 National Online Shopping Day (Harbolnas), scheduled for December 10-16.

According to Iskandar, Harbolnas should serve as a platform for government-assisted MSMEs to expand their market reach through e-commerce channels.

The government is targeting Rp40 trillion (approximately US$2.2 billion) in transactions during this year's Harbolnas, up from Rp36.4 trillion in 2025.

Deputy Chairperson of idEA Syarif Hidayatullah stressed that efforts to strengthen the e-commerce ecosystem should go hand in hand with initiatives to empower business players.

"The digital ecosystem should not focus solely on transaction value; it should create broader economic opportunities for the public," he said.

To achieve this, he proposed three strategies: expanding capacity-building programs for MSMEs, engaging universities to nurture young entrepreneurs, and organizing promotional events and bazaars featuring locally made products.

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Translator: A.P. Dewi, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: M Razi Rahman
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