Muhammad Riza Damanik, special staff of the Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kop UKM) stated that the IMT-GT could assist domestic business players, including MSMEs, in connecting with strategic partners through business matching activities.
According to the evaluation conducted by the Ministry of Kop UKM, business matching activities have proven to be effective in helping MSME players establish close relations with strategic partners, thereby expanding their market reach, he noted.
"I think it would be difficult for our MSMEs to find partners by themselves. They would need to allocate their time to enhance their productivity and search for their strategic partners. That would not be easy for them," Damanik said in Batam, Riau Islands Province.
He also emphasized that the Indonesian government has prepared various platforms, initiatives, and solutions for MSMEs to expand their market reach, seek strategic partners, and optimize technology.
The government's efforts are expected to assist MSME players in producing more innovative products and connecting with partners on a broader scale, he added.
"For example, it is expected that they will be able to innovate to create food products that can last for more than one year," he said.
Damanik also affirmed that Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which is currently chaired by Indonesia, possess large markets.
"Hence, ASEAN countries must have strategic options to determine their featured products, such as food and agricultural products," he stated.
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Translator: Jessica A, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Anton Santoso
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