Minister Maman: Regional economic progress depends on MSME movement

Balikpapan (ANTARA) - Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, has asserted that regional economic progress is heavily dependent on the movement of the MSME sector, as it serves as the backbone of the local economy, directly impacting the lives of people from the grassroots to remote areas. “When MSMEs in a region flourish, the local economic wheel will turn faster independently, without having to rely entirely on the central government,” said Minister Maman during the opening of the Festival for the Ease and Protection of Micro Enterprises in Balikpapan on Wednesday. He added that a fundamental prerequisite for regional economic advancement is when MSMEs are able to move, grow, and progress together with the full support of the local government. Therefore, he expressed hope that this festival would serve as a catalyst for micro business actors to upgrade, strengthen competitiveness, accelerate poverty alleviation, and create new jobs. The festival, themed “Connected MSMEs, Growing Through Innovation,” is held over two days, from 17 to 18 June 2026. This inaugural event is part of the Entrepreneurship and MSME Day series, specifically designed to support the People’s Welfare Programme (Prokesra), one of President Prabowo Subianto’s priority programmes. In response, the Governor of East Kalimantan, Rudy Mas’ud, expressed deep appreciation for the commitment shown by the Ministry of MSMEs.