Jakarta – The government continues to demonstrate its commitment to maintaining people’s purchasing power and the competitiveness of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through a number of strategic steps, including the Economic Stimulus Package. This was conveyed by the Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Airlangga Hartarto, who emphasized the importance of continued support for low-income households, the middle class, and the business world.
“The government continues to strive to maintain purchasing power and business competitiveness through a number of Economic Stimulus Packages aimed at low-income households, the middle class, and also the business world,” said Airlangga in his official statement.
The condition of people’s purchasing power is considered still strong, as indicated by the Bank Indonesia Consumer Confidence Index (IKK) in November 2024 which reached 125.9. This figure reflects people’s optimism about economic conditions. In fact, the latest NielsenIQ data shows that total public spending in the third quarter of 2024 reached IDR 256 trillion, showing a significant increase in domestic consumption.
In addition to maintaining purchasing power, the government also continues to encourage the empowerment of MSMEs and cooperatives as the driving force of the people’s economy. Airlangga said that strengthening human resources (HR) and adopting technology are the keys to increasing the competitiveness of cooperatives in the national economic ecosystem.
“Therefore, it is necessary to strengthen human resources through the adoption of technology, and improve governance to increase the competitiveness of cooperatives. Of course, we really hope that cooperatives can continue to move to encourage economic growth and also the productive sector in accordance with the mandate of the Cooperative Law,” said Airlangga.
Cooperatives, which have a strategic role in the national economy, continue to be encouraged to be more empowered through policy support that supports the productive sector. The government hopes that cooperatives can become the main pillar in driving the regional economy as well as supporting national growth.
In addition, the Head of the Fiscal Policy Agency (BKF) of the Ministry of Finance, Febrio Kacaribu, said that the government is focused on the sustainability of MSMEs by providing various economic stimuli.
“The government is focused on providing various stimuli, including MSME stimuli, by completing changes to the related PP and PMK,” explained Febrio.
This step is part of the government’s grand strategy in ensuring that MSMEs are able to survive and thrive amidst global economic challenges. Simplification of regulations through Government Regulations (PP) and Minister of Finance Regulations (PMK) is expected to accelerate the implementation of economic stimulus policies that directly address the needs of MSMEs.
With these strategic steps, the government is optimistic that the competitiveness of MSMEs and cooperatives will continue to increase. Government support, both through stimulus policies and increasing human resource capacity, is an important foundation in maintaining the sustainability of the national economy.
The presence of these policies is also expected to be able to create an inclusive ecosystem, where MSMEs and cooperatives can compete healthily, innovatively, and sustainably. In the midst of dynamic global conditions, this government policy is a great hope for the community to continue to rise and grow together.
With domestic consumption continuing to increase and public optimism towards economic conditions, the government is confident that efforts to maintain purchasing power and business competitiveness will have a long-term positive impact on the Indonesian economy. [*]
