Young entrepreneurs are being praised for helping build their country, including by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

"Entrepreneurs are our heroes. They are not only looking for opportunities for jobs, but they create opportunities for others," he said January 15th at the opening session of the five-day Mandiri Expo, where more than 140 entrepreneurs had the opportunity to share experiences.

Indonesia's middle-class population will grow from about 50 million to 125 million in the next few years, he predicted.

"This is because more and more young people have decided to be part of this economic competition, to be entrepreneurs," the president said.

Mandiri Bank Director Budi G. Sadikin said his company would create more opportunities for young entrepreneurs, who have much to contribute to their country.

"We are proud of this programme because we are able to provide more opportunities to our younger generations to learn, to share, and to maintain what they already have and to create other possibilities," he said.

New ways to build the business

Participants came away from the event with new ideas and optimism.

"In the past, it was so difficult to get a loan from the bank to maintain our businesses. But the statements from the president and the director seem very promising," participant Irwanto Adisoyo told Khabar Southeast Asia.

Though Irwanto owns a small leather company that produces handmade jackets, wallets, bags and belts, he has difficulty expanding his business.

"I need someone to have trust in me that I can do this, and I think this is the time," he told Khabar.

Entrepreneur Dwi Puji Astuti said she was passionate about her vegetable nugget business and learned at the event how to manage and market her products.

"I want to improve my business and from this event, I've learned how I can add more nutrients to the products, as well as how to market the products," she told Khabar.

The event inspired Dwi, who employs 17 people, to hire someone who knows about marketing and increasing product quality.

Adi Widjaja owns an organic fertiliser and landscaping company.

"As for now, I will focus on the usage of technology because I think it will reduce my workload," he said.