Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment: 1001 Malam Market Strengthens Community Economic Empowerment
Banda Aceh (ANTARA) — The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (Kemenko PM), Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, has stated that the 1001 Malam Market in Banda Aceh represents a concrete step in strengthening economic empowerment of society by providing wider market access for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
“The 1001 Malam Market initiative is a manifestation of the state’s presence and commitment to the wellbeing of small business operators, so that they become more empowered with better market access and their businesses can continuously move up the value chain,” said Coordinating Minister Muhaimin Iskandar through a video message presented at the 1001 Malam Market Festival in Banda Aceh, Aceh, on Friday.
He explained that through the 1001 Malam Market activity, the government is opening access as widely as possible for MSME operators in Banda Aceh and its surroundings.
According to him, through this policy, the government also encourages the utilisation of various untapped assets, whether government-owned, state-owned enterprises, or private sector property, so they can function as business spaces for MSME operators in strategic locations.
He noted that during the three-day operation of the 1001 Malam Market, from 11-13 March in Banda Aceh, MSME operators reportedly achieved turnover of up to 90 million rupiah. This achievement demonstrates that providing easily accessible business spaces can drive grassroots economic revival.
“This shows that the 1001 Malam Market is able to become a real solution to continuously revive the economy of our friends and MSME operators,” said Coordinating Minister Muhaimin.
He stated that once these operators begin to grow and become empowered, new employment opportunities will naturally be created.
He also urged local governments to replicate the 1001 Malam Market initiative by utilising public facilities as business spaces for MSMEs, as mandated in Government Regulation (PP) No. 7 of 2021.
The Coordinating Minister also invited society to support MSME revival through a movement of buying, using and promoting local products.
The Coordinating Minister further hopes that the 1001 Malam Market can be the initial step in grassroots economic revival, while also sending a message of optimism to MSME operators throughout Indonesia.
“From Banda Aceh we send a message of optimism for Indonesia’s grassroots economy. From Aceh for advanced and superior MSMEs,” said the Coordinating Minister.
The Aceh provincial government has appreciated Kemenko PM for the trust placed in Aceh as the location for the pilot implementation of the 1001 Malam Market programme.
“This activity is part of joint efforts to strengthen community economics, particularly small and medium business operators, while supporting the implementation of national policy in accelerating poverty alleviation and elimination of extreme poverty,” said Aceh Governor Muzakir Manaf in a written statement read by the Governor’s Chief of Staff, Husnan.
Therefore, the provincial government hopes this initiative does not remain merely a pilot activity, but can be continuously developed and replicated in various other regions, so that more people can benefit from it.
As part of the 1001 Malam Market series of activities, Kemenko PM also distributed processed food packages to flood disaster survivors, handed over 103 units of temporary housing units (huntara) resulting from collaboration with Rumah Zakat, handed over 253 huntara units resulting from collaboration with DT Peduli, and distributed assistance of 1,000 Islamic religious texts (kitab kuning) for Islamic schools in North Aceh and Tamiang Aceh.