Bogor (malangkota.go.id) – Indonesian President Joko Widodo visited participants of the PT Taspen State Civil Apparatus (ASN) entrepreneurship program which took place at the Sentul International Convention Center, Bogor Regency, West Java, Wednesday (16/1/2019).
The program is intended for ASN who will soon enter retirement and also retirees to empower the community's economy through the development of entrepreneurial knowledge. No less than 5.000 participants attended and also retirees who have started their own businesses attended the event.
In his remarks, President Joko Widodo gave his support for PT Taspen's entrepreneurship program because the retirement period of ASN does not mean stopping productivity. President Jokowi provided a number of success tips for retired ASN who are interested in entering the business world.
"First, starting a business is not easy. Therefore, choose businesses that are close to our daily lives when we are on duty," he said as the first tip.
For example, a civil servant who was actively serving in the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries can use his knowledge and expertise in fields related to his duties. Starting a business with the skills he already has will be much easier than learning new things.
"The business should not be far from there, because we already know the knowledge and are involved in it every day, so it is easier to start," he said.
Then, he advised that if you have an interest in starting a business but still feel hesitant, as a second tip, President Joko Widodo suggested that ASNs look for work partners in starting a business. With the note that the partner has good characteristics and is willing to learn together to develop the business.
"The business is good if we have the right partner to grow quickly while we learn to manage a business and enterprise," he added.
The President of the Republic of Indonesia also had time to reveal a little secret from his children's businesses when they started pioneering. His eldest son's culinary business martabak, for example, started by collaborating with a work partner.
“This is my child no had experience in the food sector, especially in the martabak sector. I never even bought it, then suddenly I was selling martabak. It turned out I had a partner who had been selling martabak for a long time,” he said.
Through this cooperation, his business is now growing rapidly and is recognized by the President as being able to beat his own business which he previously managed directly in terms of sales turnover. Various branches in dozens of cities have also been successfully opened.
"So my advice to all of you, if you are hesitant to start a business, look for a partner. But the partner must be truly sure to be a good fit," he said. (Deputy for Protocol, Press, and Media, Presidential Secretariat/yon)
