"I call on all stakeholders, starting with the government, to continue coordinating and collaborating," he said during a public lecture at Gadjah Mada University (UGM) in Yogyakarta on Friday.
Iskandar underscored the need for unity among all parties and urged both central and regional governments to work together in supporting the growth of MSMEs.
"We must do this together. It cannot be done alone," he stressed.
He also encouraged MSME players to continuously improve and prioritize production quality, which he said is crucial for their progress.
On the same occasion, he called on the banking sector to take part in efforts to empower MSMEs.
Iskandar cited two tourism villages in Sleman District, Yogyakarta, supported by banks: Pentingsari Tourism Village, assisted by BCA, and Hargobinangun Tourism Village, assisted by BRI.
He highlighted that the sustainability of tourism villages as models of community empowerment should be replicated in other parts of Indonesia.
"Hargobinangun Tourism Village proves that community empowerment based on local wisdom and natural resources can become a sustainable source of livelihood. We hope it can serve as a role model for other villages across Indonesia," he remarked.
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Translator: Anita Permata, Raka Adji
Editor: Anton Santoso
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