Ultra Micro Business Participation in Economic Growth Expanded
PT Permodalan Nasional Madani (PNM) is expanding the participation of ultra micro entrepreneurs in economic activity through financing and business mentoring so that growth is not only concentrated on large-scale economic players.
“Independence is not only about how far Indonesia grows, but about how many people grow together with Indonesia,” said PNM Deputy President Director Sunar Basuki in a statement in Jakarta on Monday (18/8).
He said the momentum of the 81st anniversary of the Republic of Indonesia serves as a reminder that economic development needs to provide increasingly broad space for the public to engage in productive activities.
According to him, millions of small-scale businesses growing within communities play an important role in shaping local economic activity. Warungs, culinary businesses, daily necessities trading, and various home-based businesses create daily money circulation within communities.
“Therefore, when we mentor the women customers of PNM Mekaar, what we are building is not only their businesses, but also the hopes and future of their families,” he said.
According to Sunar, the significant contribution of ultra micro businesses is not always reflected in the scale of each individual enterprise. Its economic value is formed by the large number of people running productive activities and the economic circulation they collectively create.
These activities create a longer economic chain. Income from businesses is used again to purchase raw materials, pay for household needs, use services in the surrounding area, and fund education. This circulation is what gives ultra micro business activity a direct link to the community economy.
“Many mothers may not talk about the national economy. But from the small businesses they run, the Indonesian economy actually moves. From their hands, children can go to school. From their income, family needs are met. From their courage to keep trying, a future is being built,” he said.
PNM therefore views that expanding access to financing needs to go hand in hand with improving business capacity. Financing serves as an entry point to strengthen customers’ ability to manage their businesses, improve product quality, utilise technology, build networks, and gain broader market access.
The mentoring is directed at enabling economic activities that initially take place on a limited scale to have the opportunity to grow and connect with a wider business ecosystem.
According to Sunar, this approach is important because the challenges faced by ultra micro entrepreneurs are not solely about capital. Business actors also need knowledge, skills, market access, and networks to be able to sustain and expand their productive activities.
“Empowering the community means being present not only when they need financing. We must be present to understand their needs, accompany them through the process, and help them see opportunities that may not yet be visible,” said Sunar.
In the context of the national economy, strengthening ultra micro businesses is one way to broaden the base of society that benefits from growth. The more productive businesses that develop at the local level, the wider the sources of economic activity formed within communities.
For PNM, the spirit of independence therefore does not stop at historical commemoration, but also becomes a momentum to strengthen economic independence by opening opportunities for more people to run and develop businesses.
This approach is in line with the theme of the 81st anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Indonesia, A Sovereign, Just, and Prosperous Indonesia, particularly in expanding economic opportunities so that the benefits of development can reach various layers of society.
“Every business that grows is a hope that grows with it. Every family that becomes more empowered is part of an Indonesia that is growing stronger. May the spirit of independence continue to remind us that our task is to ensure that more people have the opportunity to grow and advance together with Indonesia,” Sunar added.