Coordinating Minister: MSMEs Need Market Access, Not Just Training

The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Muhaiment Iskandar, stated that the empowerment of MSMEs must progress from training and mentoring to actual market access. This was conveyed during the RRI Fest at Sakura Field, Bogor Regency, on Saturday (19/09/2026).

During the event, the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment (Kemenko PM) introduced the ‘1001 People’s Markets’ programme and a workshop on social media optimisation for market expansion. A total of 55 curated MSME players participated in the bazaar, while 100 MSME entrepreneurs attended the workshop.

Muhaimin stated that collaboration between the government and the media must generate economic benefits for the community, including opening market access for local businesses. “We want the platforms already held by the media to become spaces where community products meet the market. It should not just be a crowded event, but there must be economic benefits felt by business owners,” Muhaimin said in a press release.

According to Muhaimin, bazaars need to be connected to the processes of training, mentoring, production, and ultimately, market access. “The bazaar is the culmination of empowerment. After the community is trained and mentored, we must ensure their products have a market. That is where empowerment produces economic independence,” he said.

Muhaimin noted that the RRI network across various regions can be utilised to expand the reach of empowerment programmes. “RRI already has a stage in many cities. The government’s task is to fill that stage with programmes that directly touch the citizens’ economy. Empowerment must be present where the people are, not just in major cities,” he asserted.

The series of activities in Bogor began with a healthy aerobics session and free health check-up services. Muhaimin also visited a shoe production centre in Ciomas, inspected the MSME bazaar and health services, and attended a dialogue themed ‘Synergy between Government and Media for Local Economic Independence’.

The Deputy for Coordination of Community Economic Empowerment and Protection of Migrant Workers at Kemenko PM, Leontinus Alpha Edison, stated that curation is a vital part of the ‘1001 People’s Markets’ programme. Involved entrepreneurs are selected and mentored to ensure they are prepared to expand their markets.

Leontinus added that market access must be built sustainably so that businesses can grow. Kemenko PM also hosted a social media optimisation workshop attended by 100 participants, featuring speakers from the Ministry of MSMEs, certified digital platform trainers, and local entrepreneurs. “Empowerment is not merely about providing aid. Entrepreneurs need access to grow. The government’s duty is to ensure that access is available, continuously opened, and reachable by people in the regions,” he said.

The President Director of LPP RRI, Hendrasmo, stated that RRI Fest serves as a meeting space for the community in various regions. Collaboration with Kemenko PM provides a promotional space for MSME products while expanding market reach.

Bogor Regency was chosen as one of the programme locations because it hosts a footwear industrial centre in Ciomas, which has long been an economic driver for the community. Through these activities, Kemenko PM encourages empowerment that progresses from training and assistance to business development, market expansion, increased income, and economic independence.