Several experts have concluded that an entrepreneur ratio of 10-14 percent was deemed necessary for a nation to become developed, he said in a press statement released in Jakarta on Saturday.
He pointed to the still low number of entrepreneurs in Indonesia, particularly in comparison with other ASEAN member countries.
Syaikhu explained that Indonesia's entrepreneurs comprised some 3.47 percent of the total population, while entrepreneurs from Malaysia, Thailand, and Singapore constituted respectively some 4.74 percent, 4.26 percent, and 8.76 percent of their total populace.
"This data should motivate us to become entrepreneurs. At the moment, Indonesia's opportunity to become a developed nation through the number of entrepreneurs is very wide," Syaikhu affirmed.
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According to Syaikhu, this wide opportunity is due to Indonesia's vast population of 270 million, with a demographic bonus that can lead up to a 68.1-percent increase in the population of the productive age group since 2012. This figure would peak in 2028-2030, he stated.
Moreover, he noted that the vast array of internet technologies held immense potential to produce digitalpreneurs.
Syaikhu called to put in place a governmental policy or regulation that supports the presence and development of digitalpreneurs.
Meanwhile, Bank Indonesia is eyeing to connect 60 million micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the digital platform within a three-year period through the Quick Response Code Indonesian Standard (QRIS).
Bank Indonesia's Governor Perry Warijyo affirmed that this year's target was 12 million MSMEs, and it would be raised for the subsequent years.
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Translator: Razi Rahman, Fadhli R
Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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