"If those areas end up having more MSMEs, the government must focus on enabling them to thrive. This goes back to how protectionist the economic policies are—are MSMEs able to access raw materials, export goods, set competitive prices, and access technology and Wi-Fi? These are critical areas of opportunity for the next cabinet to consider, by promoting equitable access and implementing more open economic policies that allow entrepreneurs of all sizes, not just large conglomerates, to succeed." - Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures" - Gita Sjahrir
"That was a clear signal that the Indonesian middle class is now ready to have a voice in politics, which is a powerful moment and should serve as a lesson for other countries. The first priority is basic needs—nutrition, housing, and even clean air. Second is education, the foundation of any society. And third, we need inclusive economic policies that make things more equitable for small and medium-sized businesses, including micro-businesses." - Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures" - Gita Sjahrir
"Issues with online gambling are extremely prevalent in Indonesia, and it's heartbreaking to see. For instance, a strange statistic shows that a large percentage of people stuck with predatory loans are teachers. This doesn’t mean they are overspending on luxury items—it’s because their income has decreased. All these issues—whether it's non-performing loans, predatory loans, or online gambling—ultimately come down to one question: Do people feel psychologically safe and secure with the money they have? Do they generate enough income to meet their basic everyday needs?" - Gita Sjahrir, Head of Investment at BNI Ventures" - Gita Sjahrir
In this episode, Jeremy Au speaks with Jeremy Au on Indonesia: Pope visit, shrinking middle class, policy reforms, and financial literacy with Gita Sjahrir.
Keywords: Indonesia, Pope Visit, Shrinking Middle Class, Policy Reforms, Financial Literacy, Gita Sjahrir, Indonesia, VC, Women, Thought Leadership
