Vice President Ma’ruf Amin has said that young, hardworking entrepreneurs are one of the main drivers of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
He made the remark at the inauguration of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI) Sharia Conference 2022 at the Vice President’s Palace on Tuesday.
“We need at least three things to move the economy, namely controlling the pandemic, making accommodative policies, and hardworking entrepreneurs, such as HIPMI. We must synergize all three,” he said.
Regarding controlling the pandemic, Amin said the government has continued to expedite vaccinations as part of efforts to build herd immunity.
Touching on inclusive accommodative policies, he emphasized the importance of the Islamic economy and finance’s role in economic recovery.
“Sharia economics and finance must be prioritized in the national economy; it cannot escape the context of global challenges. We must use this huge potential such as population and demand as economic leverage, as well as a halal lifestyle that is increasingly popular in Indonesia and other parts of the world,” he said.
Indonesia has leading sectors of Islamic economy and finance such as agriculture, halal food and beverages, Muslim fashion, Muslim-friendly tourism, and Islamic finance, the Vice President noted.
All these sectors would help the Indonesian economy to survive amid the pandemic, he added.
Lastly, speaking of young entrepreneurs as the drivers of the economy, the Vice President noted the importance of understanding and foresight to take advantage of existing challenges and turn them into new opportunities.
“Also, the great potential of Islamic economics and finance, in the hands of all of you, will help the country’s economic development in the future,” he said.
Amin then invited young entrepreneurs, as members of HIPMI, to start building businesses in various leading sectors.
He said he is looking forward to HIPMI’s contribution in the future in encouraging economic progress and Islamic finance.
Source: Antara News