Tangerang — Small and medium-sized business owners warmly welcomed President Prabowo Subianto as he toured their exhibition booths at the Apkasi Otonomi Expo 2025 in ICE BSD, Tangerang, on Thursday (Aug. 28).

Tresya Avilaemalo, representing a small enterprise from West Sumba, expressed gratitude for the opportunity to travel to Jakarta and showcase her region’s signature products, including coffee, tea, chocolate, and traditional woven fabrics.

“It’s truly extraordinary that we were able to come here and take part in this event. This is such an incredible form of support from the President,” she said.

Tresya added that she hopes President Prabowo will one day visit West Sumba in person to give local entrepreneurs an even greater boost.

“We dream of the day the President can visit West Sumba, so that our small businesses feel even more encouraged. We also want to contribute to his food security programs,” she said.

Sharing a similar sentiment, Ferdinan Endarto, a representative of small businesses from Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan, voiced hope that promotional opportunities will continue to expand, allowing local cultures and products to gain wider recognition.

“Our hope is that initiatives like this will carry on, with the main goal of promoting regional products. Each region has its own unique community and specialties to offer,” he said.

Ferdinan also welcomed President Prabowo’s Koperasi Merah Putih initiative, a cooperative program designed to strengthen the economy, improve livelihoods, and advance small businesses.

“We strongly support the President’s program to empower small enterprises, especially through the establishment of Koperasi Merah Putih, which will serve as an umbrella organization to manage and assist all the small businesses here in Kapuas Regency, Central Kalimantan,” he added.