"A huge opportunity exists to export SME products. However, regrettably, our entrepreneurs lack self-confidence," Nainggolan remarked during a workshop on expanding the Indonesian product market through e-commerce held in Malang, East Java, on Wednesday.
The ministry has offered training for small- and medium-scale entrepreneurs to encourage them to expand their businesses' scale and market.
Food and beverage products and handicrafts are among the SME products that hold potential to boost the export market.
"Certainly, businessmen in Malang have experienced how SMEs can be relied upon to penetrate the foreign market," Marolop affirmed.
In 2019, the minister had outlined a target to boost exports to US$175 billion, or an increase of 7.5 percent than that recorded in 2018.
The government was unable to meet the export growth target set at 11 percent in 2018, merely managing to record a growth of 6.7 percent owing to uncertainty in the global economy.
"The export target must be achieved. The potential of SME products (to boost exports) is huge, as we have experienced that SME have become the backbone of our economy during crisis," he emphasized. EDITED BY INE
Translator: Vicki Febrianto, Sri Haryati
Editor: Eliswan Azly
Copyright © ANTARA 2019
