Currently, we are developing e-catalog, online shop, ODS, OSS, smesta, lamikro, S-KOPI (financial hub and credit scoring), and ISSMEI (MSMEs integrated services)Bandung, West Java (ANTARA) - Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Minister Teten Masduki urged all citizens to buy products of cooperatives and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to handle likely stagflation in the second semester of 2022.
One of Indonesia's economic strengths is centered on entrepreneurs, such as MSMEs, he noted during the 2022 MSMEs National Day commemorative event here on Friday.
To this end, various efforts have to be undertaken to ensure continuation of the entrepreneurs' business.
According to Masduki, history shows the resilience of MSMEs in the face of various economic crises.
Hence, to encourage people's consumption of MSMEs' products, his ministry will develop digital platforms to provide service convenience for MSMEs.
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"Currently, we are developing e-catalog, online shop, ODS, OSS, smesta, lamikro, S-KOPI (financial hub and credit scoring), and ISSMEI (MSMEs integrated services)," he revealed.
The government is striving to maintain the development of MSMEs through the digitalization process to address the economic crisis in the world wherein its economic growth is being corrected, from 3.6 percent to 3.2 percent.
In fact, it was estimated that the world's economic growth in 2023 will be corrected to 2.9 percent.
"Hence, we need to continue to protect the domestic economy as a source of growth, specifically MSMEs. However, we also need to create opportunities for overseas market expansion," Masduki affirmed.
Moreover, he noted that 19 million MSMEs have entered the digital ecosystem or grew 137 percent as compared to the data before the COVID-19 pandemic.
His ministry aims to increase the number of MSMEs entering the digital ecosystem to reach 30 million in 2024.
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"Several MSMEs have adopted technology that makes them the champion in their sector, such as Mokapos, Kasirpintar, Credibook, which facilitates financial report recording," he highlighted.
"Then, there is Torch, a fashion start-up that starts to export through Amazon," he pointed out.
Meanwhile, Governor of West Java M. Ridwan Kamil spoke of having communicated with other regions to carry out cooperation in utilizing MSMEs products.
One of the forms of cooperation established is between the West Java provincial government and South Sulawesi provincial government, he stated.
According to Kamil, economic cooperation with various provinces is deemed necessary amid the world's economic crisis that had led Indonesia to continue to depend on foreign products.
"The key is not to rely on foreign products. If the trade between ourselves can be optimal, Insya Allah (God willing), our economy would be saved," he remarked.
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Translator: Ajat Sudrajat, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Fardah Assegaf
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