"MSMEs are the spearhead of the Indonesian economic foundation. Thus, SOEs Ministry and other ministries and institutions synergize to focus on guidance, marketing, and financing," he noted through an official statement on Tuesday.
A total of 50 MSMEs were involved in a stringent curation process in order to be showcased in the SME's Hub in Labuan Bajo's Waterfront City.
From this figure, there are 10 local MSMEs while the rest are MSMEs under the guidance of the SOEs House and other ministries.
At the SME's Hub exhibition, several products on offer include foods, beverages, and crafts.
The SME's Hub is open for ASEAN countries' delegations on May 9-11, 2023. SME's Hub will then be open for the general public on May 12-13, 2023.
During his visit, Thohir directly met with MSMEs in the SME's Hub.
He said that the SME's Hub is proof that SOEs are ready to encourage MSMEs to go global with assistance and financing, including through guidance from the SOEs House.
"SOEs and Himbara (State-owned Banks Association) focus on financing. Additionally, PNM Mekaar, with 149 thousand customers under their guidance in Flores, are also involved," he remarked.
Moreover, Thohir noted that MSMEs involved in the SME's Hub are able to compete with other commercial products.
"In fact, there are our MSMEs that had managed to penetrate the European market and are marketed in Italy," he remarked proudly.
Given the visitors' enthusiasm, Thohir believes that the SME's Hub can help MSMEs to improve their competitiveness while also opening access to the global market that can encourage the globalization of Indonesian MSMEs.
The SME's Hub also features art performance, stand-up comedy, culinary arts, sustainability training, and other interesting events.
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Translator: Fransiska M N, Fadhli Ruhman
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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