Helvi stated that this focus supports President Prabowo Subianto’s vision to foster a new generation of entrepreneurs who are both competent and equipped to tackle modern-day challenges.
“Indonesia’s current entrepreneurship ratio stands at 3.08 percent, and the government aims to increase it to 3.6 percent by 2029. That means we need more young entrepreneurs, and universities are the right and most promising places to cultivate them,” he stated in a press release from Jakarta on Friday.
The Ministry of MSMEs recorded the presence of 690 registered business incubators nationwide as of mid-2025, with over a third located in higher education institutions.
He noted that universities are environments where young intellectuals develop, where research addresses real-world challenges, and where ideals are tested by societal needs.
“This shows that campuses are not just centers of learning, they have evolved into real incubators for young entrepreneurs who are attuned to social issues, technology, gender equality, and rural development,” he remarked during a public lecture at the Universitas Kebangsaan Republik Indonesia (UKRI) in Bandung on Thursday (June 26).
Helvi also reminded attendees that MSMEs are not merely about small-scale businesses but reflect the people’s courage to be self-reliant, support family economies, and sustain the national economy from the grassroots level.
To this end, he remarked that empowering MSMEs means strengthening the nation’s economic foundation. When MSMEs thrive, the national economy becomes more stable, inclusive, and sovereign.
Currently, the government is aiming for 30 million MSMEs to go digital. Helvi emphasized that in this era of rapid change, digital transformation is essential, not optional.
“Beyond just having a presence on e-commerce platforms, what we aim to foster is a mindset shift, tech adaptation, and the development of business models that are relevant to today’s market demands,” he explained.
He affirmed that the Ministry of MSMEs stands ready to provide mentorship, facilitation, training, and partnership networking opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
“Students, becoming an entrepreneur today is no longer a backup plan, it is a main path toward independence and progress. You are not just future employees but also job creators,” he concluded.
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Translator: Shofi, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Arie Novarina
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