"I have signed (the designation) of National Entrepreneurship Day in a presidential decision, as proposed by HIPMI founders and chairperson," the president stated during the 52nd HIPMI anniversary commemoration agenda here, Monday (June 10).
Hence, he called the designation of National Entrepreneurs Day, which falls on HIPMI's anniversary, a "birthday present" for the entrepreneurs association.
National Entrepreneurship Day was proposed for the first time by the HIPMI leadership during the latter's visit to the presidential palace months ago, he remarked.
Jokowi said HIPMI's anniversary commemoration this year is much more memorable as it is his last to attend as president. He also highlighted the presence of President-elect Prabowo Subianto during the agenda.
"(The president) who will attend the 53rd (HIPMI's) anniversary commemoration is Mr Prabowo Subianto," he added.
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The president also affirmed that policies and programs enacted under his leadership will be continued by his successor.
"I believe we should not be concerned at all since upcoming programs will be all continuity (from the current)," he remarked.
Meanwhile, the president encouraged HIPMI to continually innovate and contribute to the nation's success in facing global competition as well as optimize potentials from Indonesia's demographic dividends.
He also stressed the importance of mitigating the effects of technology disruption, such as the one posed by artificial intelligence (AI).
In response to the president's announcement, HIPMI Executive Board Chairperson Akbar Himawan Buchari expressed his gratitude and called it a "special present" for the association.
Buchari also commended the president's concern for the growth of entrepreneurship in Indonesia. He noted that under Jokowi's leadership, Indonesia's entrepreneurs ratio increased from 1.8 percent in 2014, when Jokowi took office, to the current 3.8 percent.
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Translator: Andi Firdaus, Nabil Ihsan
Editor: Yuni Arisandy Sinaga
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