Ibas Urges Women UMKM Entrepreneurs Into Event Supply Chain in East Java
Vice Chair of Indonesia’s People’s Consultative Assembly Edhie Baskoro Yudhoyono (Ibas) has emphasised the importance of strengthening women’s roles within the Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition (MICE) ecosystem. He has called for local UMKM operators, particularly women entrepreneurs, to become integral parts of the supply chain for major events in East Java, rather than remaining on the periphery.
He made these remarks during a Ramadan recess agenda entitled “Optimising UMKM Partnerships in Event Supply Chains” held in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism in Magetan, East Java, on Monday, 2 March.
“MICE events should not only mobilise large hotels and venues. Women-led culinary, craft, fashion, and creative service UMKMs must be incorporated into supply chains. This ecosystem must be built to be inclusive and equitable,” Ibas stated.
The Democratic Faction Chair in the People’s Representative Council noted that women entrepreneurs represent more than 64 per cent of Indonesia’s UMKM operators. He argued that strengthening the national economy depends directly on reinforcing women’s roles in the micro-enterprise sector.
“When women are strong, families are strong. When families are strong, this nation will flourish. Ramadan is an opportunity to strengthen integrity and solidarity in building a healthy economy,” Ibas added.
Whilst acknowledging the significant potential, Ibas recognised that female UMKM operators in the regions still face considerable obstacles, including low digital literacy and limited access to financing. He committed to overseeing strategic initiatives to ensure women-led UMKMs can advance economically.
During the dialogue, UMKM operators from Madiun and Magetan raised concerns about difficulties in accessing investors and participating in large-scale activities. In response, Ibas committed to promoting policies that create fairer opportunities for small business operators to compete with larger industries.
The event was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Tourism, the Regional Development Office of Ngawi Regency, and leadership of Magetan Regency’s Regional Legislative Council. Through this collaboration, Ibas hopes East Java will transform into a national MICE centre grounded in local economic strength and empowered female communities.
“Let us strengthen faith, strengthen women, and strengthen UMKMs to strengthen our nation,” he concluded.