Finance Minister Sri Mulyani Indrawati has said it is important to empower female entrepreneurs as few of them have harnessed business opportunities, particularly in the Islamic creative industry.

“This will be important to show that female entrepreneurs are ready to take important roles in this world economic forum. It’s also important to promote the idea that women can become not only buyers, but also producers,” she said on Tuesday on the sidelines of the 12th World Islamic Economic Forum (WIEF), which aims to empower young entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).      

The minister said there was a growing demand for products from the Islamic creative industry, such as fashion, movies and art. Indonesia has huge potential and plays an important role in the world’s Islamic fashion industry, she went on to say.

With the 12^th edition of WIEF, Sri Mulyani said Indonesian small and medium-sized entrepreneurs had the chance to promote their products and find business partners.

"We are the world’s fourth largest population and among the largest economies in the world. Indonesia is an ideal place for investment and also has big investment opportunities, both in sharia-based and common commercial-based sectors," said the minister. (ebf)