Government Expands Business Access for MSMEs through 1001 Nights Market Programme

The Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment (Menko PM), A. Muhaimin Iskandar, has affirmed the government’s commitment to opening access for micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This is being achieved through the 1001 Nights Market programme, which was launched in Banda Aceh.

The launch of the 1001 Nights Market in Banda Aceh represents a concrete step by Muhaimin in strengthening economic empowerment of the community by providing broader market access for MSMEs.

Through this policy, the government is also encouraging the utilisation of various idle or underutilised assets, whether owned by the government, state-owned enterprises, or the private sector, so that they can function as business spaces for MSME operators in strategically located areas.

“The 1001 Nights Market initiative is a manifestation of the state’s presence and commitment to the fate of small business operators so that they become increasingly empowered with better market access and all types of their businesses can continuously move up in class,” Muhaimin said in a written statement on Friday, 13 March 2026.

This was conveyed by Muhaimin through a video displayed at the 1001 Nights Market Festival in Banda Aceh.

During the three-day event of the 1001 Nights Market, from 11-13 March in Banda Aceh, MSME operators recorded revenues of approximately Rp90 million. This achievement demonstrates that the provision of easily accessible business spaces is capable of driving a revival of community economics.

“This demonstrates that the 1001 Nights Market is capable of becoming a real solution to continuously revive the economy of our friends, the community economy, and our MSME operators,” Muhaimin said.

“When they have started to grow continuously and become empowered, then of course new employment opportunities will automatically be created,” he added.

In line with this, he also encouraged regional governments to replicate the 1001 Nights Market initiative by utilising public facilities as MSME business spaces as mandated in Government Regulation Number 7 of 2021.

“Therefore, I hope that regional governments and of course the central government will continue to be encouraged to implement the mandate of Government Regulation Number 7 of 2021, which is to replicate the initiative to provide business spaces for MSMEs from public facilities released by the government, which we refer to as access to the 1001 Nights Market,” Muhaimin explained.

Muhaimin also invited the community to support the revival of MSMEs through a movement to purchase, use and promote local products.

Furthermore, Muhaimin hoped that the 1001 Nights Market could serve as an initial step in the revival of the people’s economy whilst sending a message of optimism to MSME operators throughout Indonesia.

“From Banda Aceh, we send a message of optimism for Indonesia’s people’s economy. From Aceh for advanced and first-class MSMEs,” he concluded.