Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Special Envoy to the President for\nInternational and Multilateral Trade, Mari Elka Pangestu, is urging the\nsimplification of regulations and the reduction of bureaucratic barriers\nto strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).<\/p>\n
Speaking at The 2026 Asia Grassroots Forum by Amartha in Jakarta on\nThursday, Mari Elka stated that ease of doing business is a crucial\nfactor in increasing the resilience and growth of MSMEs, particularly\namidst current global economic challenges. According to her, the costs\narising from fulfilling various administrative and regulatory\nrequirements can represent a significantly larger burden for\nmicro-enterprises compared to large corporations.<\/p>\n
Consequently, she noted the need for certainty for micro and small\nbusiness owners to operate through simple processes with minimal\nbureaucratic obstacles. She suggested that the digitalisation of\ngovernment services, such as Govtech, could serve as a solution to cut\nadministrative costs and accelerate MSME access to various public\nservices.<\/p>\n
Mari Elka, who served as Minister of Trade from 2004 to 2011, cited\nthe implementation of digital identities for individuals and business\nowners, as seen in India, as a potential model. Such a system is\nbelieved to simplify business registration processes, the distribution\nof government aid, and the monitoring of programme effectiveness.<\/p>\n
She added that digitalisation would also enable the government to\ndeliver various forms of support to the community more precisely. In\naddition to regulatory simplification, Mari Elka emphasised the\nimportance of strengthening the economic resilience of grassroots\ngroups, including women entrepreneurs. She argued that investing in\nwomen and micro-entrepreneurs not only improves community welfare but\nalso supports sustainable economic growth.<\/p>\n
\u201cInvesting in grassroots communities, investing in women, and\nstrengthening their resilience is fundamentally a good economic\nstrategy. It will produce the economic growth that is required,\u201d she\nsaid.<\/p>\n
Mari Elka also encouraged expanding access to financial protection\nproducts, such as affordable health and life insurance, to help the\ncommunity face various risks, ranging from illness and natural disasters\nto economic shocks.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/mari-elka-urges-regulatory-simplification-to-strengthen-msmes-1780828916", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }