Jakarta (ANTARA) - Trade Minister Agus Suparmanto visited Lulu Hypermarket in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and encouraged Indonesian micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to market their diverse, unique products to the Middle East, especially UAE.

"Indonesian entrepreneurs are expected to have greater opportunities to penetrate the Middle East markets, especially in the UAE," the trade minister noted in a statement here on Tuesday.

The role of modern retail Lulu Hypermart was quite strategic in helping Indonesian MSMEs foray into the UAE market, he remarked.

Hence, the minister is upbeat about Lulu Hypermarket facilitating and assisting, so that the products of MSMEs can meet market requirements in the UAE.
"Lulu Hypermarket can provide technical guidance and promotion for Indonesian businesses, especially MSMEs. In addition, it can deliver detailed information concerning product requirements in the UAE market, including labeling, packaging, distribution, and market segmentation," he stated.

Lulu Hypermarket has 185 retail stores and 23 shopping centers spread across the UAE, India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

In Indonesia, Lulu Hypermarket had opened branches in Cakung, East Jakarta, in 2016 and in BSD City, Tangerang, in September 2017. The company intends to open more branches in Indonesia in early 2020, precisely in Cinere Mall, Depok, and Sentul Bogor.

During his visit to Lulu, Suparmanto was greeted personally by Chairperson and Managing Director of Lulu Group International (LGI) Yusuff Ali.

Lulu has concurred on bringing in more Indonesian products to be marketed across the Lulu Hypermarket stores.

"We urge Lulu Hypermarket to supply more Indonesian products to be marketed across its retail arms," the trade minister noted.

Earlier, the Ministry of Trade's Directorate General of National Export Development had inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with LGI on the sidelines of the 2018 Trade Expo Indonesia.

"The signing of the MoU is expected to facilitate and help ease access for Indonesian products to enter international markets, in particular, the Middle East, including the UAE, through Lulu Hypermarket," Director General Dody Edward stated.

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Translator: Sella PG, Fardah
Editor: Sri Haryati
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