Indonesian fintech company Amartha calls on global investors to explore the vast potential of Indonesia’s micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) via the 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum, held from May 21–23, 2025 in Nusa Dua, Bali.

Andi Taufan Garuda Putra, Founder and CEO of Amartha, described the forum as a pioneering event designed to offer a fresh perspective on grassroots economic development.

“This massive segment has proven its resilience, especially with the support of inclusive financial technology and an ecosystem that nurtures entrepreneurship,” he told the forum session on Thursday, May 22, 2025.

According to data presented at the event, MSMEs represent 97 percent of Southeast Asia’s private sector, account for 85 percent of total employment, contribute 45 percent to regional GDP, and generate 10–30 percent of exports. These figures are supported by the ASEAN Investment Report 2023 and signal a major opportunity for impact investment in the region.

A recent report titled Infocus: Impact Investing in Asia 2024 also revealed that 49 percent of global investors plan to increase their exposure to Southeast Asia by 2025 − a trend Amartha hopes to capitalize on for the benefit of Indonesia’s MSMEs, particularly at the grassroots level.

Amartha’s efforts gained support from major players like Standard Chartered Bank (SCB). Rino “Donny” Donosepoetro, Cluster CEO for Indonesia at SCB, emphasized that MSMEs are a key pillar of the bank’s global business strategy.

“Our global footprint spans Africa to South and Southeast Asia, including Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Supporting grassroots enterprises aligns directly with our core mission,” Donny said.

He suggested that empowering micro-entrepreneurs requires more than just funding − it demands training, mentorship, and entrepreneurial development to help them scale. In Indonesia, he noted, banks have traditionally focused on credit growth as the primary performance metric, making it difficult for smaller enterprises to access meaningful financial support.

“We want to change that by combining financing with business development efforts, so these entrepreneurs can truly grow and thrive,” he said.

The forum gathered over 700 participants from 15 countries, including global investors, government institutions, regulators, private sector leaders, academics, and ultra-micro business communities. It served as a platform to connect grassroots MSMEs with sovereign wealth funds and international investors eager to drive inclusive economic growth.

The 2025 Asia Grassroots Forum reflects a growing recognition that sustainable development starts from the ground up, and with strategic support from global stakeholders, Indonesia’s grassroots entrepreneurs are poised to become a cornerstone of regional economic transformation.