Attend the Inauguration of BPP HIPMI, President: Experience in the Field Shapes a Strong Entrepreneur's Personality

Thepresidentpost.id - Indonesian President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) attended the Inauguration of the Central Executive Board (BPP) of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) for the 2022-2025 Service Period at the Kempinski Hotel, Central Jakarta, Jakarta on Monday (20/02/2023).

In his remarks, the President said that as a young entrepreneur who is used to facing obstacles, a strong, adaptive personality will be formed, and accustomed to learning by doing. characters like that are urgently needed at this time.

“Everything is disrupted, so what's important is street smart, not book smart , and that's in HIPMI. Field experience, street experience is at HIPMI," he said.

The Head of State also reminded that currently the government is struggling to implement downstream industry. Even though various challenges are coming, great added value for the industrial ecosystem must continue to be fought for. One of the biggest challenges is the lawsuit from the World Trade Organization (WTO).

For information, the lawsuit that was filed by the European Union at the WTO against the Indonesian government was the policy of banning the export of nickel ore that was implemented by Indonesia. However, in October 2022, Indonesia was declared defeated in the lawsuit and is currently in the middle of an appeal process.

"What we want is added value, even though we are currently in the process of appealing against being sued by the WTO, it will continue. Don't ever make a turn, we are afraid because the added value is truly enormous," he said.

Then, President Jokowi also emphasized the importance of using and spending on domestic products which have been regulated by the government since last year. In fact, the President explained that the United States had just implemented the policy in January this year.

"America has also, just implemented in January 2023 the use of domestic products and we are one year ahead, already doing so that we are now a trendsetter not a follower, " said the President.

Meanwhile regarding investment, the President also said that 53 percent of investment in Indonesia is currently outside Java, from only 30 percent previously. For this reason, according to him, being a big businessman does not have to be in Jakarta because investment outside Java Island is already bigger.

“ For the office, it should also be outside Java. Everyone should not gather in Java because the GDP [Gross Domestic Product] of the economy in Java is already too big, 58 percent of the total national GDP, so that equity will occur ," he said.

On this occasion, President Jokowi appreciated HIPMI for being able to accommodate members from Sabang to Merauke.

"Yes, this is our country. This is a big country, once again this is a big country. So the management of 239 is still very reasonable," he added.

The Head of State also said that after going through the COVID-19 pandemic for approximately three years, the community needed to take lessons and lessons so they could correct and correct deficiencies. One of the keys to its success, he continued, was strong collaboration.

"The key is there why we can finish the pandemic properly. I remember that the TNI-Polri are all moving, all employers' organizations are all moving," he explained.

According to the President, the success of injecting 450 million doses of the COVID-19 vaccine is not a small number, especially since it was carried out in people across Indonesia.

"This is what we need post- pandemic, collaboration, working together," he concluded.

Also present at the event were the Chairman of the Indonesian People's Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo, Deputy Chairman of the Indonesian Regional Representative Council Sultan Bachtiar Najamudin, Coordinating Minister for the Economy Airlangga Hartarto, Minister of Investment/Head of BKPM Bahlil Lahadalia, Cabinet Secretary Pramono Anung, and General Chairperson of BPP HIPMI Akbar Himawan Buchari.