The resistance of small medium enterprises (UKM) in facing crisis can no longer be doubted. When big enterprises collapsed during crisis, UKM stands still. And the great thing about it is that 60 percent of UKM are run by women.

Data shows that 60 percent of UKM actors are women. And it’s a fact that UKM has a strong resistance against economic turbulences

“Data shows that 60 percent of UKM actors are women. And it’s a fact that UKM has a strong resistance against economic turbulence. Thus, women’s roles and contributions in development must be given wider access,” stated Jakarta Vice Governor Basuki T Purnama during Province Women Works Expo held by Mitra Praja Utama at Grand Hall Thamrin City, Central Jakarta, Thursday (8/28).

According to Basuki, the ASEAN Economic Society (MEA) will be implemented next year. This society is a realization of some countries’ wish to realize ASEAN as a solid economic area that is taken into account in the international economic arena. And for Indonesia, particularly Jakarta, improvement in qualified human resources with regional and global competitiveness is needed to anticipate the 2015 MEA.

“We need to improve and take steps as early as possible to face the challenges that are getting stricter,” he said.

In addition, Basuki assessed that women’s roles in the development of this nation is getting needed in each part of lives. Women can penetrate and plug in their existence. For that, women, as a part of society’s elements, have a very significant role in nation’s development and advancement.