Apart from the conference of ASEAN heads of state, Indonesia also hosted several side events to enliven the main event.
One of the side events was an exhibition of products made by micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) named “SOEs House SMEs Hub,” which was initiated by the Ministry of State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) and took place at the waterfront city Labuan Bajo.
The ministry organized the event in collaboration with other ministries and institutions.
In line with the momentum of the 42nd ASEAN Summit, SOEs Minister Erick Thohir showcased products made by local MSMEs at the five-day exhibition, which was held from May 9 to May 13.
As many as 50 MSME players passed a curation to showcase their products at the exhibition. Of the 50 MSMEs, 10 were local MSMEs and 40 were MSMEs coached by the SOEs Ministry under its SOEs House program and other ministries.
The selected MSMEs showcased their products in Manggarai-traditional-house-themed booths from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Central Indonesian Time (WITA). The products included tenun (woven) fabrics and their derivative products, handicraft products, food and beverage products, and environmentally friendly products.
The SOEs House SMEs Hub did not only feature the MSME exhibition, but also performance arts, music performances, live DJ performances, as well as traditional and contemporary arts to entertain visitors.
There was also a beach cleanup activity that involved the youth. It further included a training session on environmental preservation, for instance, by processing waste into goods of economic value. The training was provided to women customers of state-run microlender PT Permodalan Nasional Madani's (PNM's) PNM Mekaar service.
Economic impact
MSME players who took part in the SOEs House SMEs Hub expressed enthusiasm over the five-day exhibition. The Ministry of SOEs received several positive responses on the event’s economic impact, specifically on the sales of products.
Bernadete Lamatokan, from one of the MSMEs, Kusebar, expressed appreciation for the support provided for product promotion by the SOEs Ministry.
Besides the training and coaching provided by SOEs under the ministry, Lamatokan said that the SOEs House SMEs Hub event was a form of promotion that offered benefits.
During the exhibition, he earned millions of rupiah in profit from the sales of several tenun fabric products and their derivatives. In fact, SOEs Minister Thohir purchased a product worth Rp1 million (around US$67.37).
A customer of the PNM Mekaar service, Merry Harleni, who sold homemade food at the exhibition also gave a positive feedback.
After passing the curation, Harleni managed to sell many products and some were even bought by delegates attending the ASEAN Summit. She informed that she recorded an increase in sales during the exhibition.
During normal conditions, she makes Rp3.5 million (around US$235.78) per week from selling homemade food. Meanwhile, during the exhibition, she earned Rp2 million (around US$134.73) per day.
Noting the positive impacts of the event, Harleni praised the exhibition organized by the SOEs Ministry. She said that she was proud of being a part of PNM Mekaar and hoped that similar events would be held again in the future.
A similar response was also provided by Mariana Domingga, the owner of fashion business Shantiq Ethnic Fashion from Ruteng, Manggarai District.
She said that the SOEs House SMEs Hub was a good event to promote products on a wider scope. She also expressed the hope that advanced or developing MSMEs will support new MSMEs through the promotion of products.
A positive feedback was also provided by participating exhibitor Mama Ina of Padu Padan Tenun and Tenun Ina Sabu enterprises, which sold several tenun fabrics to ASEAN delegates.
She said she felt pride in showcasing her products, which are original handicrafts made using natural dyes. With that advantage, Ina was optimistic that the exhibition would become a bridge for her MSMEs to enter the international market.
Ina conveyed her gratitude because, through the exhibition, she could sell tenun fabrics, which cost Rp2 million (around US$134.73) per piece, to delegates who visited her booth.
Support for SOEs
The positive responses shared by participating exhibitors were in line with SOEs Minister Erick Thohir's goal of ensuring a multiplier effect on local residents of Labuan Bajo through the SOEs House SMEs Hub side event.
Thohir said that the exhibition is proof that SOEs are ready to encourage Indonesian MSMEs to go global through assistance, financing, and coaching under the SOEs House Program.
At the exhibition, he lauded all local products showcased by business players. According to the minister, MSME products at the SOEs House SMEs Hub exhibition could compete with other commercial products or even enter the international market.
With the high levels of enthusiasm shown by visitors, Thohir expressed optimism that SOEs House SMEs Hub would help MSMEs improve their competitiveness as well as open access to the global market and encourage them to go international.
He stressed his commitment to continuing to support and promote MSME products, especially through exhibitions.
The minister said that his ministry is synergizing with other ministries, institutions, and regional governments to boost the economic performance of MSMEs, which are spearheading Indonesia’s economy.
Thohir further said he wants the SOEs House SMEs Hub to become the real proof of the SOEs Ministry's presence in keeping the economy running and generating added value for MSMEs and the community in Labuan Bajo.
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Editor: Rahmad Nasution
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