Govt Develops Entrepreneurship in South Halmahera

RRI.CO.ID, Halmahera Selatan — The Indonesian government, through the Ministry of Industry, has officially launched a program to create new entrepreneurs in South Halmahera Regency, North Maluku. This serves as a strategic step to boost the economy in Eastern Indonesia. The initiative focuses on business skills training based on local resources and needs to drive inclusive regional economic growth.

The New Entrepreneurial Growth and Development (WUB) Program for Small Industries took place at the South Halmahera Regent's Office Hall on August 11–14, 2026. A total of 80 participants received technical guidance across three main sectors: bakery processing, local motif batik production, and two-wheeled vehicle repair shops.

The government collaborates with regional authorities to utilize local raw materials and capture local market opportunities. Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita, explained the main purpose of this entrepreneurial development program.

“The central and regional governments continue to collaborate to accelerate inclusive economic development while prioritizing local resources, ranging from the use of local raw materials to socio-cultural values. One of the steps is growing creative, innovative, and adaptive new industrial entrepreneurs who can capture market opportunities,” Agus stated in his written statement in Jakarta on Sunday, August 30, 2026.

This small business development is also based on data showing that the small and medium-sized enterprise (IKM) sector absorbs more than 65 percent of the national industrial workforce. Therefore, the chosen training sectors directly match the daily needs of the island community.

Director General of Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industry, Reni Yanita, shared the reasons behind selecting these three business sectors for the residents of South Halmahera. She noted that these commodities meet local needs for daily consumer goods, cultural products, and mobility support.

“We want these needs to be met by small industry players in South Halmahera themselves, so they can contribute to the economic growth of the community,” she said.

In addition to technical skills, participants received training on legal permits (Risk-Based OSS), business management, and access to capital from banks. The local government welcomed this central government effort, noting that it will help build independent entrepreneurs who strengthen Eastern Indonesia's economic foundation.