Jakarta (ANTARA) - The government has expressed its commitment to encouraging the growth and development of Papuan micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), considering the province’s potential, particularly in the fashion, culinary, and handicrafts sectors.

"Papua has enormous potential, which can be (tapped and developed into) superior products, in terms of fashion, culinary, and craft aspects," Communication and Information Minister Johnny G. Plate remarked in a virtual speech at the Proudly Made in Indonesia National Movement (Gernas BBI) event at Cenderawasih Sports Center in Jayapura, Papua, on Wednesday.

The government's love for Papua has never faded despite ministers being unable to attend the event in Papua in person due to a cabinet meeting with President Joko Widodo, he said.

He further said that in his eyes, Papua, which is located in the easternmost part of Indonesia, is home to a variety of natural beauty and fascinating cultural wealth.

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"In the midst of the momentum of national economic growth, which reached 5.44 percent (year on year/yoy) in the second quarter of this year, the government must keep encouraging the development of MSMEs/UMi (ultra micro-businesses),” he added.

This has been the basis of Jayapura city's appointment as the host of the Proudly Made in Indonesia National Movement summit, which is themed “Digital Sparkles of Papua.”

The event also aims to motivate local Papuan SMEs to always adapt to the current pandemic era.

"In May 2020, President Joko Widodo officiated Gernas BBI as a form of government support for domestic products, especially MSME/UMi products, so that they are able to compete during the COVID-19 pandemic," Plate noted.

Thus, the program has a mission to pursue the improvement of MSME products' branding and the use of digital technology for local artisan products, as well as encouraging consumers to buy domestic MSME products, he added.

Wednesday’s event featured an offline and online exhibition of MSME products via https://ve.virtualexpobbi.id/, performances of two Papuan cultural dances by Papuan artistes Tifa Dance and Tangkur Sagu Dance, a fashion show, and a presentation on setting up a sole proprietorship, among others.

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Translator: Abdu Faisal, Mecca Yumna
Editor: Suharto
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