Speaking at a National Movement for Proudly Made in Indonesia (Gernas BBI) event in Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan, on Friday, he asked regional governments to create e-catalogs to assist more MSMEs and enable them to take part in the procurement of government and state-owned facilities and infrastructure.
"I request the heads of districts: (please) make local e-catalogs. That (will facilitate) the creations of each region," he said.
The government could save up to 20–25 percent of its budget during goods procurement by using e-catalogs in lieu of procurement of goods and services through tenders, he pointed out.
Besides, clear and transparent sales and pricing schemes can also contribute to efforts to prevent corruption.
Related news: MSMEs must utilize online marketplaces to boost sales: Widodo
"E-catalogs do not need tender. (Their) prices (are listed) clearly, (you can) save up (budget, too), (and you also get to) avoid corruption. (You) can save up to 20 to 25 percent through e-catalogs," he said.
As per a survey conducted by the Central Bureau of Statistics, e-catalogs could create job opportunities and support the development of MSMEs' creations, the minister noted.
"The survey of the Central Bureau of Statistics (stated that) if we can reach (goods procurement worth) Rp400 trillion (US$ 26.7 billion) this year (from) the e-catalog, it will create two million jobs and will (boost) our economic growth by 1.7 percent," he said.
Thus, national economic growth could surpass 5 percent if procurement through the e-catalog is pursued and meets estimates, he added.
Related news: Gov't asks e-commerce sites to add more MSME products
Related news: Minister calls to protect MSMEs in e-commerce from harmful practices
Translator: Aditya Ramadhan, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
Copyright © ANTARA 2022
