Trade Ministry Encourages Young Campus Entrepreneurs in South Sumatra to Become Exporters
The Ministry of Trade continues to encourage the emergence of a young generation capable of becoming globally competitive entrepreneurs by strengthening the campus-based entrepreneurship ecosystem. This commitment was affirmed by Deputy Trade Minister Dyah Roro Esti Widya Putri, who spoke online at the Grand Inauguration of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Higher Education chapter for South Sumatra, held at the OJK Provincial Office Ballroom in Palembang on Tuesday (5/8).
“This inauguration is not merely a change of management, but the beginning of a responsibility to produce more young leaders, innovators, and prospective entrepreneurs who can bring Indonesia further forward and be competitive in the global market. In other words, the younger generation becomes the driving force of economic growth. This spirit aligns with the Ministry of Trade’s commitment to building an inclusive and sustainable export ecosystem,” said Deputy Minister Roro.
According to the Deputy Minister, amidst increasingly competitive global trade dynamics, Indonesia needs more young people who are not only brave enough to start a business but also have a vision to bring Indonesian products to the world market. For this reason, the Ministry of Trade continues to strengthen the Campuspreneur Programme as a platform for fostering export-oriented young entrepreneurs based on campus from an early stage.
“We want students not only to be job seekers but also job creators, innovators, and future exporters. The Ministry of Trade will continue to open collaboration spaces through various export development programmes, training, business matching, trade promotion, and the utilisation of various international trade agreements so that more young Indonesian business actors can become new exporters,” she added.
Also present at the inauguration were Director General of National Export Development Fajarini Puntodewi, Governor of South Sumatra Herman Deru, Secretary of the Directorate General of National Export Development Sugih Rahmansyah, university leaders, HIPMI Higher Education administrators from across South Sumatra, and hundreds of students.
On the occasion, Director General Fajarini Puntodewi invited students to use their college years as a momentum to build innovative, adaptive, and export-oriented businesses. “Indonesia needs more young entrepreneurs who are not only brave enough to start a business but also have a global orientation. Campus is the best place to build creativity, networks, and innovation. Through HIPMI PT, we hope more student businesses will grow into future exporters,” she said.
Puntodewi explained that the development of digital technology has opened opportunities for business actors to reach the global market more easily. Therefore, students need to build digital literacy, critical thinking skills, and strong networks as the foundation for building resilient businesses.
As a form of support for the birth of new exporters, the Ministry of Trade presents various export development programmes, including UMKM Berani Adaptasi, Siap Adaptasi (BISA) Ekspor, Desa BISA Ekspor, UMKM Partnerships, and Campuspreneur. These programmes provide assistance ranging from product development, capacity building, design and branding, certification, promotion, business matching, to international market access through 46 Indonesian trade representatives abroad.
According to Muhammad Syahrafiuddin, Head of the Semi-Autonomous Body for the Export-Import Sector of BPD HIPMI South Sumatra, Campuspreneur provides enormous benefits for business actors in South Sumatra because it serves as a bridge between the academic world and industry. He noted that many students have ideas and an entrepreneurial spirit but lack experience in building sustainable businesses. Through this programme, business actors can share real experiences, become mentors, and open up business collaboration opportunities.
“My hope is that Campuspreneur does not stop at training or seminars alone, but provides continuous mentoring until participants are truly able to build their businesses. Furthermore, access to financing, business incubation, industry networks, and market access, including export markets, needs to be strengthened. Thus, more start-ups and new MSMEs will be born from campuses, creating more jobs, and ultimately contributing to the economic growth of Palembang City and South Sumatra. Creating new entrepreneurs starting from higher education can bring about change and a major impact for Indonesia, as students are agents of change,” Syahrafiuddin explained.