By: Andika Pratama )
The empowerment of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) continues to be a strategic focus in strengthening national economic resilience. Amid an increasingly competitive global economic landscape, MSMEs are no longer merely complementary sectors, but have become a primary foundation supporting Indonesia’s economy. An economy rooted in the people requires continuous reinforcement to withstand market dynamics and develop into a strong national force. Through synergy between public policy, support from public broadcasting institutions, and initiatives from major corporations, the MSME sector is now at a crucial momentum to move up the value chain and transform into a more competitive player.
Commission VII of the Indonesian House of Representatives (DPR RI) reiterated the importance of public broadcasting institutions in advancing MSMEs, especially in expanding information, education, and promotion. Three public broadcasters—TVRI, RRI, and ANTARA—were invited to discuss efforts to encourage innovation in producing content that provides wider opportunities for MSME and creative economy actors. Chusnunia Chalim, Head of the Specific Working Visit Team of Commission VII, emphasized that MSMEs contribute significantly to the Gross Domestic Product, accounting for more than 60 percent and absorbing nearly the entire national workforce. She views MSMEs not only as maintaining economic flow at the local level but also as reducing regional disparities through equitable business opportunities.
Through discussions with public broadcasting institutions, Commission VII aims to ensure that digital transformation in the broadcasting sector aligns with the growing need of MSMEs for effective access to information and publicity. MSME actors require communication channels that strengthen their brand, improve digital literacy, and provide promotional space that reaches broad audiences. The Commission considers the modernization of public broadcasters to be a key component in expanding MSME presence at the national and even global level. Thus, public broadcasting institutions are expected not only to serve as information channels but also as platforms that actively promote the growth of the creative economy sector.
Beyond parliamentary policy, concrete support from state-owned enterprises (BUMN) plays an important role in strengthening MSME independence. Pertamina, as a strategic state-owned company, has demonstrated strong commitment through the Pertamina SMEXPO 2025, which involves 51 assisted MSMEs across various sectors. Through this program, Pertamina reinforces MSME development as part of its corporate social and environmental responsibility. Pertamina’s President Director, Simon Aloysius Mantiri, views MSMEs as a vital component of the national economy, thus requiring continuous guidance to improve product quality, market access, and business networks.
The Pertamina SMEXPO program, initiated during the pandemic, has developed into a strategic platform to promote MSME advancement. Beyond focusing on increasing revenue, the program also connects MSME actors with potential buyers from inside and outside the country. Pertamina has assisted more than 66,000 MSMEs since 1993, with tens of thousands still active today—demonstrating the corporation’s commitment to fostering a healthy and competitive MSME ecosystem.
Minister of MSMEs, Maman Abdurrahman, expressed his appreciation for Pertamina’s consistent efforts to support MSME independence. Collaboration between the government and major corporations is essential in strengthening the foundation of the national economy. This synergy provides greater opportunities for MSMEs to expand and penetrate global markets. With the involvement of MSMEs from various segments such as crafts, culinary, fashion, and jewelry, national exhibitions like Pertamina SMEXPO reflect the rising creative economy of Indonesia built upon local cultural strengths.
Pertamina’s TJSL (Social and Environmental Responsibility) programs, such as UMIMAX, also highlight support for ultra-micro enterprises that often lag behind in capital and business development. Assistance in the form of production tools and business mentoring demonstrates concrete efforts to strengthen micro-level economic flows, ensuring that growth does not only occur at the middle level but also reaches the smallest business actors who form the foundation of the national economy.
MSME empowerment aligns with the national development vision of the Prabowo–Gibran administration through the Asta Cita agenda, particularly in expanding employment opportunities, developing entrepreneurship, and strengthening the creative industry. The government emphasizes the need for MSMEs to be increasingly adaptive to technological change, improve digital literacy, and prepare for global competition. Within the framework of sustainable economic growth, the government sees MSMEs as potential drivers of the green economy through environmentally friendly innovation and more efficient business practices.
MSME empowerment not only increases household income but also generates a multiplier effect for regional economic growth. With institutional strengthening, business capacity building, and expanded market access, MSMEs can become key catalysts for an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable economy. This momentum must be supported through cross-sector collaboration—from the government, parliament, state-owned enterprises, public media, to society as consumers.
Through a combination of progressive policies and consistent capacity-building support, MSMEs are now on a transformative path toward a stronger economic future. Empowering MSMEs is a strategic step toward building sustainable economic growth—one that focuses not merely on increasing numbers but on reinforcing the socio-economic structure that upholds the nation’s long-term prosperity.
*) The author is a Social Observer
