Lampung (ANTARA) - Trade Ministry is developing an ecosystem involving micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), funding institutions, modern retail and market place, Trade Minister Zulkifli Hasan noted during the 2023 Trade Ministry Work Meeting held here, Wednesday.

This ecosystem is designed to develop MSMEs, both in terms of funding and marketing, he explained.

Moreover, it will provide convenience to MSMEs in terms of receiving capital from banking institutions, such as Bank Syariah Indonesia, BRI, or PNM. This will also allow merchants to avoid contacting middlemen.

MSMEs should also be introduced to the market place to market their products digitally. Moreover, market place provides product packaging training to be able to attract customers.

"We connect MSMEs with modern retail, so that the price can be supplied. Modern retail will also benefit since it does not need to rent a space," Hasan explained.

On the occasion, the minister underlined the importance of cooperation between various parties to develop Indonesia's trade overseas.

"The key word is cooperation with governors, district heads, office heads, MSMEs, and banks. Everyone should cooperate," he remarked.

The ministry currently continues to expedite the resolution of a trade agreement with other countries. Moreover, Indonesia starts to search for new markets to expand the export territory.

Indonesia's trade balance in 2022 recorded a surplus that was a 54.53-percent increase. The total value of exports reached US$291.98 billion and imports stood at US$237.47 billion.

Around 400 people participated in the 2023 Trade Ministry Work Meeting, themed "Trade Transformation Supports the Development of Value Added and Sustainable Economy."

These participants were businesspersons, academicians, representatives of the Trade Ministry and trade offices in all regions, as well as overseas trade representatives.

This meeting will coordinate and synchronize the 2023-2024 Trade Ministry Work Plan. The meeting also serves as a platform for information and inputs from various stakeholders in the trade sector.

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Translator: Maria C G P, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Sri Haryati
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