MSMEs’ Hopes on Jakarta’s Anniversary: Wishing for More Support

One way to celebrate a birthday is through introspection. Perhaps this is also what Jakarta can do as it prepares to celebrate its 498th anniversary on June 22, 2025.

This year, Jakarta carries the tagline "JAKARTA: A GLOBAL AND CULTURED CITY" for its anniversary celebration. One way to bring this vision to life is by supporting MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) entrepreneurs in this metropolitan city—especially those whose businesses are still deeply rooted in Jakarta’s cultural heritage.

Here are some of the hopes expressed by MSME entrepreneurs on the occasion of Jakarta’s 2025 anniversary.

Jakarta is Showing Greater Support for MSME Entrepreneurs

One of the key centers for preserving Betawi culture—while also blending economic activity with tradition—is Setu Babakan.

This cultural village is home to hundreds of vendors operating within the Betawi Cultural Village Management Unit. These vendors are allowed to run their businesses rent-free, thanks to the support and guidance of the Jakpreneur program.

However, while they no longer need to pay for rental space, financial assistance is still a major concern. One of the most crucial forms of support needed is capital—especially for small vendors like Zahrudin, a traditional kerak telor (Betawi egg crust) seller.

MSME entrepreneurs require flexible capital solutions that align with their unpredictable income. As widely known, the income of small businesses is often unstable, making fixed loan installments feel burdensome and difficult to manage.

Another major hope from MSME entrepreneurs is for the Jakarta Provincial Government (Pemprov DKI) to provide strategic, affordable locations for them to sell their products. This is because vendors cannot rely solely on government-provided free spaces—they also need access to high-traffic areas such as shopping centers.

Although the Jakarta government has provided many temporary trading spots (loksem), business owners hope these areas can be made more attractive—perhaps by adding distinct features and uniqueness that can appeal to both tourists and the public.

There is also the issue of business legality. Many MSME owners want their businesses to be properly registered with legal documentation, such as a Business Identification Number (NIB), halal certification, and trademark rights.

Unfortunately, the complex and time-consuming process of obtaining these documents discourages many entrepreneurs from following through. It is hoped that the process can be simplified, so more MSMEs will be motivated to legalize their businesses.

Finally, they also hope the Jakarta government will continue offering free fares for JakLingko, the integrated public transportation system. For small-scale vendors, this form of transport is a vital way to save on costs when buying supplies and materials for their business.

Government Support During Jakarta’s Anniversary Celebration

The government has certainly not turned a blind eye to the presence of MSME (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) entrepreneurs in Jakarta. In fact, during moments of celebration like Jakarta’s anniversary, the government makes a point to involve MSMEs in the festivities.

This commitment was evident at the Jakarta Future Festival (JFF) 2025, held from June 13–15, 2025, at Taman Ismail Marzuki in Cikini, Central Jakarta. At the event, two MSME businesses nurtured by the Jakarta Provincial Social Services Agency’s Jakpreneur program took part.

These two businesses were Cumi Candu Cibubur, known for its uniquely flavored grilled squid and fresh squeezed orange juice, and Ogie Drinks, which offers a variety of trendy beverages such as Thai tea and mojitos.

According to Dewi Aryati Ningrum, Head of the Social Welfare Development Division of Jakarta’s Social Services Agency, the participation of these Jakpreneur-supported businesses is a concrete example of the government’s support for MSME development in Jakarta.

She emphasized that a platform as large as Jakarta Future Festival 2025 presents a valuable opportunity for MSMEs to showcase their products, expand their networks, and contribute to Jakarta’s transformation into a global city.

Moreover, the participation of Jakpreneur MSMEs at such events is also a stepping stone for introducing local businesses to a broader market. This, in turn, encourages MSME entrepreneurs to continue innovating and growing their businesses.

In addition to participating in government-led initiatives during Jakarta’s anniversary celebrations, MSME entrepreneurs can also benefit from using the Labamu app. Why? Because it offers a variety of advanced features designed to support business growth.

One of Labamu’s newest features is the POS Kasir, a user-friendly point-of-sale system suitable for various types of businesses. There's also the QR Menu feature, which allows customers to easily place orders and make payments.

To manage your business more effectively, you can use the Laporan feature to generate clear, comprehensive sales reports. Meanwhile, the Buku Utang feature helps keep track of debts and receivables, ensuring healthy cash flow.

So, what are you waiting for? Join over 84,000 entrepreneurs across Indonesia who trust Labamu, and experience how easy and efficient running a business can be!