Jakarta (ANTARA) - Indonesia's Ministry of Industry is ramping up efforts to boost the productivity and competitiveness of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the fashion and automotive sectors, including through the launch of a business incubator program.

Industry Minister Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita said that in today’s era of rapid industrial transformation and digitalization, strengthening human resources and fostering cross-sector collaboration are essential to developing independent, innovative, and sustainable industrial entrepreneurs.

“This goal also applies to the development of domestic SMEs,” he said on Wednesday.

According to the ministry, Indonesia is home to 4.19 million SMEs, making up 99.7 percent of all national industrial business units and employing 65.52 percent of the country’s industrial workforce. These enterprises play a vital role in supporting the national economy.

Masrokhan, Head of the Ministry’s Industrial Human Resources Development Agency (BPSDMI), highlighted that accelerating the growth of new industrial entrepreneurs, including those in the MSME sector, must be backed by building a skilled workforce and encouraging institutional collaboration.

“Cross-agency, cross-sector, and cross-regional collaboration is essential. This goes beyond dividing responsibilities — it’s about exchanging insights, forming strategic partnerships, and designing the future of Indonesian industry together,” he said.

Starting in the second half of 2025, the Jakarta Industrial Training Center (BDI) has launched its 2025 Business Incubator Program.

The incubator aims to nurture industrial entrepreneurs in fields such as fashion, custom-made and textile products, automotive accessories, metal crafts, and batik.

Out of 272 applicants from 14 regions across Indonesia, six entrepreneurs will be selected to receive intensive mentorship to grow and strengthen their businesses.

Irwansyah Putra, Assistant Deputy for Entrepreneurial Incubation and Digitalization at the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs, described the incubator as a strategic platform to build networks and generate real action in creating resilient, growth-oriented entrepreneurs.

“What matters most is not just increasing turnover, but building strong, competitive entrepreneurial character,” he emphasized.

Related news: Mining concessions in Minerba law to scale up SMEs: Abdurrahman
Related news: Indonesian govt supports SMEs in adopting appropriate technology

Translator: Martha Herlinawati Simanjuntak
Editor: Anton Santoso
Copyright © ANTARA 2025