RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - The Association of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs (Hipmi) is setting its sights on global expansion, urging stronger synergy with Junior Chamber International (JCI) to open international access and help young Indonesian entrepreneurs compete on the world stage.

“The future demands that young Indonesian entrepreneurs dare to go international,” Hipmi Central Board Chairman Anthony Leong said in Jakarta on Thursday, May 28, 2026, as quoted by Antara.

He stressed that collaboration between Hipmi and JCI is a strategic move to broaden global networks and unlock opportunities abroad. In an era of increasingly fierce global competition, Anthony noted, Indonesian entrepreneurs must go beyond domestic strength--building international connections, expanding exports, and entering global value chains.

“Business today is no longer limited by geography, but defined by connectivity, collaboration, and global networking,” he said.

Founded in 1915, JCI is the world’s largest youth leadership and entrepreneurship organization, with a presence in more than 100 countries and hundreds of thousands of active members across diverse sectors.

Many global leaders--from business executives to heads of state--have emerged from its ecosystem. JCI also partners with institutions such as the United Nations on youth, entrepreneurship, leadership, and sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Anthony highlighted JCI’s strengths in international connectivity, cross-border business networks, leadership development, and global collaboration--advantages that could open major opportunities for Indonesian entrepreneurs.

He believes synergy between Hipmi and JCI could lead to tangible initiatives such as international business matching, expanded export access, investment promotion, youth entrepreneur exchanges, and global leadership training.

“If Hipmi is strong domestically and JCI is strong internationally, their synergy can accelerate the rise of Indonesian entrepreneurs on the global stage,” Anthony said.

He added that Indonesia has a major opportunity to become a new global economic power, supported by its demographic bonus, large domestic market, and the growing strength of young entrepreneurs. The challenge, however, lies in elevating them to global competitiveness.

“Many of our young entrepreneurs have excellent products and creativity but still lack access to international networks. That’s why Hipmi must start building stronger global connectivity,” said Anthony, who is also a candidate for Hipmi’s Central Board Chairmanship at the upcoming national congress in June 2026.

Anthony concluded that Hipmi must evolve beyond a domestic networking organization into a platform for internationalizing young Indonesian entrepreneurs.

“Hipmi should be the bridge that enables young Indonesian entrepreneurs not only to play locally, but to become part of the global economic chain,” he said.

He expressed hope that synergy with JCI will produce more young Indonesian entrepreneurs capable of bringing national products to global markets while strengthening Indonesia’s position in the world economy.

“If young Indonesian entrepreneurs are globally connected, Indonesia’s economy will also become much stronger,” Anthony affirmed. ***