Collaboration with MSMEs has to be strengthened with the understanding that they are not rivals. In its place, all of us should collaborate to build a healthy ecosystem, so that we can develop and expand it.
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Minister of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) Erick Thohir emphasized that micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) were not the rivals of SOEs, but on the contrary, were their strategic partners in building a healthy ecosystem.

"Collaboration with MSMEs has to be strengthened with the understanding that they are not rivals. In its place, all of us should collaborate to build a healthy ecosystem, so that we can develop and expand it," Thohir stated during a virtual expo here on Monday.

The minister drew attention to the increasing significance of collaboration and partnership between SOEs and MSMEs, as creating a resilient ecosystem together is important amid the pandemic and not merely from the perspective of survival.

"If SOEs can enhance their growth, then the revenue of MSMEs, InsyaAllah (God willing) , will increase. This is very important since SOEs' function is to develop economic equity, thereby not letting the poor becoming poorer and the rich becoming richer," he explained.

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During a work visit to several regions to directly monitor the people and their adaptability and recovery during the COVID-19 pandemic, he remarked that MSMEs function as the backbone of the people's economy.

"I also observed that MSMEs have become an integral part of the lives of people, from the big cities and districts to sub-districts," Thohir stated.

The minister noted that SOEs in several sectors, such as banking, civil capital, food, energy, and health, also participated and contributed by becoming catalysts and partners of Indonesia's MSMEs.

Earlier, Thohir had noted that SOEs were mentoring 204,609 MSMEs and it was an honor for them to be able to offer support.

In addition, Thohir pointed out that SOEs has contributed Rp3.295 trillion to the country within the last decade through tax, dividend, and others.

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Translator: Aji Cakti, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Suharto
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