"The biggest challenge today is not just producing high-quality products but also how businesses can adapt to changing times," Ananda stated during the 45th anniversary summit of Dekranas in Balikpapan, East Kalimantan, on Wednesday.
Ananda noted that digital literacy is no longer optional but a necessity for artisans to compete in broader markets.
"In today's digital era, artisans can no longer rely solely on offline markets. They must learn to market their products online and understand global market trends," Ananda remarked.
The Dekranas chair emphasized the need to improve digital literacy among artisans across Indonesia, particularly in regions still untouched by technology and online markets.
"Many artisans in remote areas do not know how to create marketplace accounts, have not taken proper photos of their products, or are unsure how to process digital permits. It is our responsibility to assist them," the wife of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka stated.
To address these challenges, Dekranas plays a strategic role in connecting artisans with training and coaching aligned with technological developments, including digital marketing strategies, social media optimization, and effective use of online marketplaces.
She stressed that craft exhibitions should not only feature well-established artisans. The Regional Crafts Association (Dekranasda) is committed to providing space for lesser-known MSMEs to grow and access wider markets.
"MSMEs and artisans need assistance, including access to capital, business legality, and product standardization," she explained.
"It is not just about selling at exhibitions but about building resilient, adaptive, and self-sustaining MSMEs in this increasingly competitive era," she stressed.
During the event, Ananda also expressed her appreciation to the East Kalimantan Provincial Government and the Balikpapan City Government for their full support of Dekranas' 45th anniversary celebration.
She expressed hope that this momentum would intensify collaboration between central and regional governments in empowering MSMEs across Indonesia.
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Translator: Yoanita Hastryka Djohan
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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