President Jokowi Opens the 2016 Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association Jamboree

President Jokowi accompanied by Chairman of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Minister of Research and Technology and Higher Education, and Governor of West Java opens the HIPMI Jamboree, on Monday (23/5) afternoon, in Bandung, West Java

During the gathering with the young entrepreneurs of universities, members of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo admitted that he can feel the spirit of young entrepreneurs.

According to the President, they have passion, but are often uncontrolled.

“You must remember that the young generation who wants to be entrepreneurs definitely has the passion, strong passion. I personally have been there. Once I lost control three times, but I survived,” President Jokowi said during the opening of Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Jamboree of the universities in ASEAN on Monday (23/5) afternoon, at the Telkom University Convention Center, Bandung.

The President said that people who are willing to become an entrepreneur must act first, rather than think first. Then, once problem arises on the ground, solve it. If you do not solve it, the business will go down, but you must survive from it,” the President said.

According to the President, in comparison with the number of young entrepreneurs in other countries, the number of Indonesian young entrepreneurs is only 1.6 percent of the total population, while, the number in other countries in ASEAN could reach more than 4 percent.

The minimum number indicates our fear to compete, the President said.

President Jokowi asserted that spirit only is not enough, rather, those young entrepreneurs must understand that the world changes rapidly in days, hours, and seconds.

The President mentioned that advanced technology seems to have made the world borderless.

“People do not have to trade via conventional markets and malls, e-commerce and online stores are now available. For example Alibaba and Lazada, as international e-commerce and online stores, Bukalapak, Traveloka, and Blibli, as national e-commerce and online stores, as well as farmers apps, Limakilo, and Hello Dok as start up e-commerce and online stores,” the President said.

According to the President, in the world that changes rapidly, we only have two options: to open or close.

“The options are similar in every country: to open or close, there are only two options,” the President explained.

“If I have to choose, I have only one choice: to open. We must believe that by being open, we will be better, we dare to compete, to fight. The cities must dare to compete as well,” President Jokowi said adding that ready or not, we must prepare. There is no other option if we open up.

The President believes that the Indonesian young generation, young entrepreneurs are not quitter and on their own turf.

“Our young generation is a tough fighter, a fighter who is ready to become a champion, not a loser,” the President said.

The President emphasized that the keys are openness and competition.

“Openness and competition will force Indonesia to improve its capacity and keep pace with its neighboring countries,” the President said.

Therefore, the President hopes ASEAN Economic Community (MEA) will encourage us, including the young generation to rise and dare to compete.

The President took an example of Garuda Indonesia that has no competitor in 1970s to 1980s, but now there are 70 airlines that create a tighter competition.

Despite its previous condition, Garuda Indonesia now becomes one of five Asian’s best airlines in 2016.

“It is because of the competition. This is the era of competition that you do not need to be afraid of. As long as we are ready and willing to improve, we don’t have to afraid of the competition,” the President stated.

The President then reminded all young entrepreneurs who want to success, and young entrepreneurs who want to enter or have been entering global market to focus on their own respective fields.

“Be focused on one thing will be better than be focused on everything. The problem that you will face will be clearer and easier to handle,” the President said.

The President also reminded not to move on business sector if you failed on one.

“Be focused on one sector because the youngster has a tendency to move from one failed business to other failed business. It means they must to start from zero,” the President said.

Also attending the event were Minister of Research and Technology and Higher Education M. Nasir, Governor of West Java Ahmad Heryawan, Chairman of United Malays National Entreprises Association Tan Sri Haji Mohammad Ali bin Mohammad Rustam, HIPMI members around Indonesia, 40 students of University of Technology Malaysia, and several entrepreneurs from Malay World Islamic World.  (DID/AGG/ES)