RRI.CO.ID, Jakarta - Indonesia’s Ministry of National Development Planning supported the creation of the Women SMEs Unpad–Nuraa Center through a cooperation agreement signed with Universitas Padjadjaran and Nuraa Women’s Institute on Thursday May 12, 2026. The initiative is aimed at strengthening women’s economic empowerment through a more inclusive, productive, and sustainable business ecosystem.

Minister of National Development Planning Rachmat Pambudy said strong entrepreneurship is essential for national progress. “There is no strong and prosperous country without strong entrepreneurs. That is why we must continue encouraging the birth of new entrepreneurs, including women,” he said.

According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor, advanced economies generally have entrepreneurs equal to around ten percent of their populations. Indonesia currently has only around two percent, highlighting the need to expand its entrepreneurial base.

Women-owned micro, small, and medium enterprises are seen as having major economic potential in Indonesia. Of the country’s roughly 56.7 million business operators, around 37 percent, or about 21.2 million, are women.

Most women-led enterprises, however, remain concentrated in micro-scale and informal sectors with relatively low added value. This has limited their ability to grow, compete, and access broader markets.

The government said solutions should focus on improving business skills and management capacity, expanding financing access, and integrating women-owned firms into production value chains. Wider use of technology and digital tools is also considered essential.

The Women SMEs Unpad–Nuraa Center is expected to serve as an integrated platform that helps women-led businesses become more productive, competitive, innovative, and connected to larger markets. The partnership also reflects stronger collaboration among government, academia, and the private sector.

“We want to build a new generation of women as pillars of the nation, namely strong and competitive women entrepreneurs under the spirit of sustainable development,” Rachmat said.