Coordinating Ministry for People's Empowerment Underscores Economic Strengthening Inseparable from Social Aspects

The Coordinating Ministry for People’s Empowerment (Kemenko PM) is hosting the 1001 Nights Market from 11-13 March 2026 at Baiturrahman Mosque Field in Banda Aceh, Aceh. The market is designed not merely to boost the performance of local SMEs in Aceh province but to prioritise humanitarian action and social solidarity.

Leontinus Alpha Edison, Deputy for Economic Empowerment Coordination and Migrant Worker Protection at Kemenko PM, emphasised that the humanitarian dimension is integral to the ministry’s empowerment strategy. Economic strengthening cannot be separated from concern for others, particularly for communities facing hardship following disasters.

“The 1001 Nights Market is not merely a centre for economic transactions but a platform for humanitarian action,” said Leontinus in a written statement on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

Beyond its social dimension, the programme functions as a catalyst to strengthen SMEs and the creative economy by optimising government and state-owned enterprise assets previously lying dormant. Strategic spaces that were formerly unproductive are being converted into affordable creative compounds.

In Aceh province, the event carries a strong Ramadan theme, featuring a bazaar and expo for culinary products and crafts, along with a Young Preachers’ Talent Stage to develop children’s potential.

The market will also feature a free health clinic offering basic medical examinations and a Rising UMKM Clinic, in collaboration with Aceh Provincial Government and Banda Aceh Municipal Government, providing business legalisation support as part of comprehensive efforts to improve community quality of life inclusively.

“We wish to create an experience that is not only visually appealing through coffee truck concepts and interactive talk shows, but also delivers tangible impact on community welfare and health,” explained Leontinus.

“Through solid synergy between government, private sector, and community, we are confident that dignified economic self-reliance can be realised,” he added.

As part of the 1001 Nights Market activities, Kemenko PM will distribute ready-to-eat processed food to flood disaster survivors, hand over 103 temporary housing units resulting from collaboration with Rumah Zakat, and distribute 1,000 Islamic texts to Islamic boarding schools in North Aceh and Aceh Tamiang.