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Herbert Siagian, Expert Staff for Productivity and Competitiveness to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (ANTARA/HO-Kemenkop UKM)

VOINews, Jakarta: The Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM) has emphasized the crucial role that universities play in enhancing the quality and quantity of entrepreneurs in the country by incorporating entrepreneurship into their academic curricula.

"Universities can also contribute by establishing entrepreneurial incubators, organizing entrepreneurship events for students, and forming partnerships with private and governmental sectors," stated Herbert Siagian, Expert Staff for Productivity and Competitiveness to the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, in a statement in Jakarta on Saturday.

As reported by AntaraHe noted that universities in Indonesia need to take an active role in fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem, which will positively impact the development of the national economy.

In addition to increasing the entrepreneurial ratio, Siagian believes that by implementing these academic programs, a conducive business climate and optimal business ecosystem can be cultivated, with a target to achieve a 12 percent entrepreneurial ratio by 2045.

To optimize the increase in the domestic entrepreneurial ratio, Kemenkop UKM also provides incentives, strengthens stakeholder synergy, and fosters an entrepreneurial ecosystem that leverages the demographic bonus.

"This is where entrepreneurship based on creativity, innovation, and digital technology becomes essential. The government is therefore pushing to create 1 million new entrepreneurs among the youth to increase the entrepreneurial ratio to 3.23 percent by 2024," he added.

Meanwhile, Member of the House of Representatives Commission VI Siti Mukaromah encouraged the implementation of curricula that foster an entrepreneurial spirit, thereby accelerating entrepreneurial capabilities and driving Indonesia's economic growth.

"We need to collaborate and support MSMEs in terms of digitalization, formal legality, and enhancing production both in quantity and quality," Siti stated.

Previously, the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Teten Masduki, reported the ministry's performance for 2023, including the creation of 821,556 new entrepreneurs.

Teten noted that these 821,556 new entrepreneurs were created through 320 activities conducted by 27 ministries/agencies. By 2024, the target is to create 1 million new entrepreneurs./Antara/VOI