“Equally important, 64 percent of MSME drivers are women. Therefore, women are encouraged to stay motivated in empowering both local and national economies,” Putri stated during the “Apeksi Nite Carnival” in Kediri, East Java, on Thursday (July 17).
According to the deputy minister, trade serves as the main engine for urban economic growth. Beyond mere buying and selling, trade opens up vast opportunities for entrepreneurship, creates jobs, and drives local economic development.
The carnival, as part of the 13th Regional Commissariat Meeting (Muskomwil) of the Association of Indonesian Municipalities (APEKSI) Region IV, provided a strategic platform to strengthen collaboration among city governments, reinforce the role of MSMEs, and shape a vision for sustainable and globally responsive urban development, she noted.
Although the event, running from July 16 to 18, 2025, was a scaled-down version of the Kediri Nite Carnival, it still drew crowds eager to witness the vibrant performances from participants.
“Today, we celebrate the resilience of our MSME players. I also want to emphasize that all entities present here play a vital role in supporting MSME products,” she remarked.
Kediri hosted delegations from 13 municipalities across Indonesia, serving as a focal point for a series of events, including the Kediri City Expo APEKSI 2025 along Jalan Basuki Rahmat, the Apeksi Nite Carnival, and various internal activities organized by the association.
Meanwhile, Kediri Mayor Vinanda Prameswati remarked that the deputy trade minister's visit offered local MSME players an opportunity to gain valuable insights and solutions to help scale up their businesses.
“Thank you for the visit, support, and attention from the Ministry of Trade. We hope this meeting will generate ideas and policies that benefit local markets, empower the people’s economy, and help stabilize prices across the country,” she remarked.
Related news: Indonesian minister stresses synergy to empower MSMEs
Translator: Asmaul, Azis Kurmala
Editor: Primayanti
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