United In Diversity Foundation, in partnership with the West Java Provincial Office of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises, successfully concluded the Conscious Leadership Introduction (COLIN) program, which empowered local leaders to drive sustainable economic growth. The program brought together 39 key stakeholders, including heads of cooperative and MSME offices across West Java and provincial officials.

Recognizing West Java’s leading role in Indonesia’s merit system (as highlighted by Regional Secretary Herman Suryatman), the program addressed the province’s ongoing challenges with poverty and unemployment. Emphasizing the importance of collaboration, Mr. Handaka Santosa, CEO of SOGO Indonesia, shared best practices for scaling MSMEs for global competitiveness, fostering valuable networking opportunities between businesses and the local government.

Acting Governor Bey Triadi Machmudin, S.E., M.T., underscored West Java’s significant investment attractiveness—the highest in Indonesia—as a key opportunity for MSME growth. He emphasized the need for strong multi-stakeholder partnerships to leverage this investment and effectively combat poverty and unemployment.

COLIN participants focused on five critical areas for MSME and cooperative development: access to capital, market access, governance, collaboration and partnerships, and human resource development. The West Java Provincial Office of Cooperatives and Small Enterprises will translate these discussions into actionable policies and programs to boost economic growth and improve community well-being through a strengthened MSME and cooperative sector.