Jakarta, July 30 -- The government is encouraging companies to increase internship enrollment to help the Indonesian workforce sharpen their job skills, Coordinating Minister for Community Empowerment, Abdul Muhaimin Iskandar, has said.

"We are asking companies to accept more internships," he said on Wednesday, adding that the request was made during a ministerial-level meeting held with business players on Monday.

Iskandar further informed that he will request President Prabowo Subianto, through the Minister of Finance, to provide incentives to companies accepting internships.

This could help create synergy between companies and the government, he explained.

"I will ask the President and the Minister of Finance to provide incentives....