Bandung, W. Java, Nov. 2 -- Trade Minister Budi Santoso underlined the strategic role of the modern retail sector, describing it not only as a driver of national economic growth but also as an effective instrument for poverty alleviation and MSME global market expansion.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2026 National Retail Day in Bandung, West Java, on Monday, Budi noted that government collaboration with the Indonesian Retailers Association (Aprindo) has successfully integrated local goods, which now account for nearly 80 percent of modern retail inventory.

"One of the core objectives of our collaboration within the modern retail sector is to reduce-and ultimately eradicate-poverty. That is why we have implemented several programs ...