Yogyakarta. The Yogyakarta city government is stepping up efforts to accelerate local economic growth by partnering with the regional chapter of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI).
The collaboration—formalized through a memorandum of understanding—aims to mobilize young entrepreneurs to support micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), revive traditional markets, and implement community-level business programs across the city.
Local entrepreneurs as economic catalysts
City leaders say HIPMI’s membership of creative, tech-savvy young businesspeople can introduce fresh ideas and practical support for neighbourhood businesses. Officials emphasized the association’s role as a strategic partner in programs such as “one village, one entrepreneur,” which is designed to incubate and scale local microbusinesses through mentorship, digital marketing, and financial literacy initiatives.
Revitalizing traditional markets and creative economy
One concrete area of collaboration is the revitalization of traditional markets, including Pasar Sentul. City representatives suggested HIPMI could help transform underused market spaces—like rooftops and communal areas—into vibrant economic and cultural hubs that attract both residents and tourists, while creating new channels for MSME product sales. These efforts are intended to bridge modern retail concepts with local market strengths.
Training, mentorship and MSME support
HIPMI leaders committed to designing practical programs for MSMEs, including financial health validation, business model development, and digital marketing training. The group plans to deploy mentoring teams to work directly with community entrepreneurs, providing tools and networks to help small businesses move from informal setups to sustainable, growth-oriented ventures.
Local government’s view: synergy over competition
City officials framed the partnership as a “mutual synergy” where HIPMI’s innovation and energy complement municipal programs. By aligning policy, financing access, and capacity-building efforts, the government expects to see broader participation in the local economy and greater inclusivity—especially among young people and neighborhood-level enterprises.
Next steps and accountability
Both parties have signaled immediate follow-up actions: drafting operational roadmaps, identifying pilot villages and markets, and scheduling joint programs over the coming months. HIPMI representatives say they will mobilize membership resources and propose measurable metrics—such as number of MSMEs incubated and market stalls revitalized—to track progress.
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