Jakarta UMKM Strategy Gets Heikal Safar’s Backing

JAKARTA — Chairman of the National Executive Board of the Ormas Rekonsiliasi Masyarakat Indonesia (Rekat Indonesia), Heikal Safar, met with Jakarta Governor Pramono Anung at City Hall to discuss collaboration in the micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) sector. The strategic meeting became a space to explore new business opportunities as Jakarta adjusts after the state capital was moved from the city.

The move is expected to open wider local investment channels for Jakarta residents. Services and trade, long regarded as the backbone of the city’s economy, need policies that are friendlier to small business owners.

“As the nation’s capital, DKI Jakarta has great potential across many fields, especially services and trade. That is Pramono Anung’s smart strategy as governor, and it has public support,” Heikal said during the peak night of Jakarta’s 499th anniversary celebration.

Boosting UMKM collaboration for a modern Jakarta

The formal meeting at City Hall was not attended by Heikal alone. He came with Chairwoman of Gerakan Dapur Indonesia Nofalia Heikal Safar, Secretary-General of the Umat Party DPP Taufik Hidayat, and Jakarta community figure Imawan. Their presence underscored the importance of synergy between the regional government and civil society organizations.

Heikal stressed that Rekat Indonesia is fully committed to overseeing strategic policies in Jakarta. The main focus is keeping the grassroots economy moving.

“As chairman of Rekat Indonesia, I am very proud and thank Governor Pramono Anung, who cares deeply and brings together various business actors, especially UMKM, to make Jakarta better and more modern in the future,” Heikal added.

Support from community organizations such as Rekat Indonesia is seen as crucial. Jakarta now faces a major test to maintain its economic appeal after the national capital status officially shifted to Nusantara. Without the right stimulus for the informal sector, Jakarta risks slower regional economic growth.

Focus on practical work programs

The meeting also produced an understanding to design more specific joint work programs. Rekat Indonesia has long been active in voicing issues of nationalism, unity, and social justice at both national and regional levels.

Now, its attention is centered on the real economy that directly affects daily life in Jakarta. Close collaboration with the Jakarta provincial government under Pramono Anung is expected to move quickly through mentoring programs and broader market access for UMKM.

The team from Gerakan Dapur Indonesia is also reportedly exploring similar business opportunities in several strategic areas to be aligned with Jakarta programs. Concrete UMKM development steps are set to roll out in the coming weeks.

According to data from the DKI Jakarta Office of Industry, Trade, Cooperatives, Small and Medium Enterprises (PPKUKM), more than 1.1 million UMKM operators are registered in Jakarta. The sector absorbs nearly 90 percent of local workers. For that reason, incentives such as easier business permits, capital support, and digital training were among the main priorities discussed in the meeting.

Facing Jakarta’s economic transition

Jakarta’s shift into Regional Khusus Jakarta (DKJ) demands a more creative regional government in boosting local revenue. Urban tourism, culinary businesses, and creative industries driven by UMKM are projected to become new growth engines, replacing dependence on government administration.

Pramono Anung has repeatedly said he is committed to simplifying regulations for micro business players. The Jakarta provincial government plans to integrate UMKM development programs with a unified digital platform to expand market reach to the national and international level.

The cooperation between the Jakarta provincial government and Rekat Indonesia is projected to produce a blueprint for community-based UMKM development. The action plan will focus on clustering flagship products in each administrative city, from Central Jakarta to the Thousand Islands.

Implementation of the joint work program is scheduled to begin at the start of next quarter. Regular monitoring will be carried out by a joint team to ensure aid and mentoring reach business actors directly at the neighborhood and community unit level.