TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi has declared June 10 as the National Entrepreneurship Day. The head of state accepted the proposal of the Chairman General of the Central Board (BPP) of the Indonesian Young Entrepreneurs Association (HIPMI), Akbar Himawan Buchari, through a presidential decree.

Jokowi announced the decision when he attended the 52nd anniversary of HIPMI at a hotel in Senayan, Central Jakarta, on Monday, June 10. Jokowi said the decision was a birthday present for HIPMI this year, as he would no longer be president next year, to be replaced by Prabowo Subianto.

HIPMI chairman Akbar Himawan Buchari said they proposed to President Jokowi to declare a national entrepreneurship day. One of the reasons is that since its establishment on June 10, 1972, HIPMI has been successful in producing a generation of young entrepreneurs who play an important role in the national economy.

"HIPMI not only produces young entrepreneurs, but also leaders at the national and regional levels. This is proof that HIPMI has succeeded in realizing its vision and mission," he said in a written statement on Friday, June 7, as quoted by Antara.

The 52nd anniversary of HIPMI, Akbar said, is a momentum to appreciate President Jokowi, who they said really pays attention to the business community. This, he said, is reflected in the increase in the number of entrepreneurs during his term.

A number of ministers and heads of state institutions from the "Advanced Indonesian Cabinet" attended the event this afternoon. Jokowi's son-in-law Bobby Nasution, the deputy chairman of HIPMI, was also present. Bobby who is also the current mayor of Medan, is married to Jokowi's daughter Kahiyang Ayu.

DANIEL A. FAJRI

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