PORTALJABAR, BANDUNG CITY - The School of Business and Management of the Bandung Institute of Technology (SBM ITB) together with the Entrepreneurship Student Association (IMK) held a Fridaypreneurship activity with the theme "People-Based Economic Development" on Friday (25/4/2025).

In this event, SBM ITB presented Sri Surgi Atmanto, SE, MM, Director of Trade Facilities and Logistics from the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Indonesia, to discuss the direction of government policy in the development and revitalization of traditional markets.

The event was opened by the Vice Dean of SBM ITB, Dr. Ir. Subiakto, MBA, RFA, QWP, CFP, who emphasized SBM ITB's real contribution to market development. "Previously, we have run market development and development programs in Pasar Atas and Cimindi, Cimahi. SBM ITB is committed to continuing to contribute to advancing the people's trade sector in Indonesia," said Subiakto.

In his presentation, Sri Surgi Atmanto explained that the government is currently focusing on developing logistics and market-based trade facilities as a strategy to stabilize prices and ensure the distribution of basic necessities throughout Indonesia. This is done to overcome price disparities between regions and maintain the resilience of the people's economy.

However, he also highlighted the challenges in building markets that often do not meet the needs of the community. "Many markets end up being abandoned because they were built without a thorough feasibility study," he said.

As a solution, the government is pushing a market revitalization program through physical and non-physical approaches. In addition to infrastructure improvements, revitalization is also carried out through management training, marketing, and increasing the competitiveness of local traders. This effort is in line with Presidential Instruction (Inpres) Number 8 of 2025, which emphasizes the acceleration of extreme poverty alleviation.

"Revitalization of traditional markets is expected to increase people's income, reduce household expenditure, and reduce the number of poverty pockets," added Sri Surgi.

On that occasion, he also expressed his concerns about the increasing consumer trend in Indonesia. Many industries, especially in the textile sector, import raw materials in large quantities which are actually resold, not used for domestic production.

He also highlighted the challenges of export sustainability for market traders. "Sustainability of raw materials is a challenge to penetrate the export market. Without this continuity, Indonesia's leading products fail to maintain their existence in the global market," he explained.

The Ministry of Trade supports market revitalization through physical funding such as the Special Allocation Fund (DAK) and cooperation with the Ministry of PUPR, as well as non-physical support in the form of the National Movement to Clean Up the Archipelago Market (Gernas Mapan) program, Community Service Lectures for Young Market Activists, market digitalization, and activation of regional markets to be more independent and competitive.

This event is an important forum for SBM ITB academics to understand more deeply how state policies can drive the people's economy, as well as open up real collaboration space between academics, students, and the government. (pun)