Jakarta (ANTARA) – Trade Minister Budi Santoso emphasized that modern retail can coexist with micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through structured partnerships.He said the collaboration is designed to help small-scale business owners survive amid shifting consumer habits.“In this partnership, modern retailers supply products to corner stores for sale at better prices,” Santoso said Friday at the Ministry of Trade headquarters in Jakarta.He explained that the model benefits corner stores by ensuring a stable supply of goods, helping them remain viable in a competitive market.Santoso added that partnerships go beyond supplying products. Modern retailers can also share knowledge on management, financial planning, and marketing. The ministry plans to support MSMEs further by offering digital training so small vendors can reach consumers through online platforms.Earlier, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar expressed concern that the rapid expansion of modern retail chains threatens MSME sustainability, especially in rural areas.To address this, the Coordinating Ministry for Community Empowerment is pursuing policies to create an equitable business chain, shielding MSMEs from unfair competition with large retailers.“The government seeks economic equity and a fair business chain,” said Leontinus Alpha Edison, deputy for Community Economic Empowerment and Migrant Workers’ Protection.He noted that the ministry focuses on community empowerment and promoting welfare equity, including creating jobs and expanding business access.Edison stressed that MSMEs are the main target of these efforts, ensuring they can operate fairly and thrive in the market.By fostering partnerships between modern retailers and small businesses, the government aims to strengthen MSMEs while promoting inclusive economic growth across urban and rural communities.
Modern retail, MSMEs can coexist with partnership: Trade Minister
