Government Boosts SMEs to Reduce Extreme Poverty through Target of 10 Million New Workers

JAKARTA - Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Muhaimin Iskandar, or Cak Imin, stated that the government is promoting SMEs to reduce extreme poverty rates. Cak Imin said that the government’s target over the next five years is for SME actors to recruit 10 million new workers. “We have a target, God willing, 10 million people over the next five years can easily start businesses and get good jobs. So, we are pushing our SMEs and creative economy to recruit workers,” said Cak Imin, after holding a Ministerial Level Meeting with the Minister of SMEs Maman and the Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky, at Mbloc Space, South Jakarta, on Monday (4/5/2026). “Its contribution is real that with the KUR running well, it will open new job opportunities and grow and develop business actors,” he said. The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment mentioned that in accordance with Presidential Instruction No. 8 of 2025, the Ministry of SMEs and the Ministry of Creative Economy will continue to contribute to addressing extreme poverty in 2026 and poverty at a maximum of 5% in 2029. The government, said Cak Imin, will work as hard as possible so that SMEs can be empowered and able to anticipate future conditions. “This is our obligation so that tackling extreme poverty and poverty can be driven massively through SME and creative economy activities,” he said. “We are confident we can mobilise the high potential in society to be empowered and independent,” he concluded.