Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Public service agency under the Cooperatives and SMEs Ministry, Smesco Indonesia, is building a marketplace for cooperatives, small and medium enterprises operating online to support the development of startups in the field of digital-based businesses.

Smesco Indonesia`s President Director Emilia Suhaimi stated here on Tuesday that Smesco Indonesia had facilitated cooperatives, small and medium enterprises to become merchants in seven prominent Indonesian marketplaces: Lazada, Shopee, Bukalapak, Tokopedia, Blibli, Bhinneka, and Elevania.

"Furthermore, Smesco Indonesia will build its own marketplace under the domain name smescotrade.com for cooperative, small and medium businesses that have been online," she revealed.

Until now, 580 cooperatives, small and medium enterprises are partnering with Smesco Indonesia. Smesco also has 1,872 product stock units from its partners.

In marketing the products of cooperative, small and medium enterprises, Smesco combines online and offline marketing methods to offer greater convenience to customers.

She explained that buyers can directly select, give responses and lodge complaints, and conduct transactions in each provincial pavilion at the Smesco gallery in Jakarta.

"In addition, customers can purchase online any products they want," she stated.

Suhaimi said cooperatives, small and medium enterprises can upgrade their businesses to a higher level if they are able to innovate, one of which is through the use of digital technology in marketing their products.

Suhaimi noted that cooperatives, small and medium enterprises should also be able to use digital devices, such as card readers, barcodes, face recognition, and ice, and apply internet of things in their businesses.

"These applications are interconnected and have an exchange data system. Endorsement and testimonials on social media are also a measure of how a company takes care of its customer, and thus, it can affect a business," Suhaimi stated.

In the midst of the challenges of using technology, Smesco provides marketing services for cooperatives, small and medium enterprises to survive.

Smesco is engaged in marketing services for cooperatives, small and medium enterprises by applying the Financial Management Pattern of Public Service Agencies.

"Smesco is determined to be a one-stop shopping destination and meeting place for cooperative, small and medium businesses, and people by providing exhibition spaces and retail showrooms for business players from 34 provinces across Indonesia," she added.



Reporting by Hanni Sofia

Editing by Libertina W Ambari

Reporter: Antara
Editor: Yosep Hariyadi
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