Indonesian trade ministry urges retiring civil servants to start businesses
Minister of Trade Budi Santoso told 178 civil servants due to retire within four years at a Jakarta workshop on 12 August that they should start businesses instead of seeing retirement as an end to their careers.
Source: Ministry of Trade Indonesia · August 13, 2026 at 5:59 AM · AI-assisted report
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JAKARTA, 13 AUGUST 2026 —
Minister of Trade Budi Santoso told 178 civil servants due to retire within four years at a Jakarta workshop on 12 August that they should start businesses instead of seeing retirement as an end to their careers.
Market Impact
He spoke at “Purnabakti Berwirausaha: Dari Pengabdian Menuju Kesejahteraan,” a session run with Indomaret and Bank Rakyat Indonesia (BRI). “Pension is a chance to have time and freedom to create,” he said. “We want retired staff to stay productive through entrepreneurship.”
The ministry also pointed to its UMKM Berani Inovasi, Siap Adaptasi (BISA) Ekspor programme, which helps small businesses connect with overseas buyers. Secretary-General Isy Karim, who chairs the Niaga Sejahtera Marketing Cooperative, said the goal was to foster “a productive, independent spirit and good financial management” after retirement.
The workshop showcased the Toko Mandiri Indogrosir (TMI) scheme, a franchise model under which retirees can open a shop in a garage or spare room. Indomaret supplies goods, store layout and management, while BRI offers unsecured loans to cover start-up costs. “TMI lets you start without zero capital,” Santoso said. “Indomaret handles the shop, and BRI finances the stock.”
Indomaret Group chief executive Sinarman Jonatan said the workshop gave retirees a “clear path” to entrepreneurship. Aris Hartanto, BRI’s consumer banking director, added the bank would support all financing needs for retirement planning.
Wisnu Haryo Samudro, who retires this year, called the session “very good preparation.” Teguh Sayekti, another attendee, welcomed the involvement of Indomaret and BRI and asked for continued mentoring.
The move forms part of a wider push to keep retired civil servants active and to use their experience in new ventures.
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