Indonesia’s MSMEs Ready for Digital Ecosystem

Jakarta, InfoPublik - Bank Indonesia (BI) and six Ministries/Institutions showed their commitment of support and synergy for Indonesian MSMEs to be ready to enter the digital ecosystem. This commitment was delivered at the High Impact Seminar and the Launching of Bank Indonesia’s National Movement Bangga Buatan Indonesia (BBI/Proud of Indonesian products), in Jakarta, Sunday (30/8).

The webinar themed "Realizing MSMEs as New National Economic Strength: The Synergy of MSME Transformation Program to Enter the Digital Ecosystem", presented Indonesia’s Coordinating Maritime Affairs and Investment Minister Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan as Keynote Speaker and other speakers IncludingTrade Minister Agus Suparmanto, Communications and Informatics Minister Johnny G. Plate, Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Minister Teten Masduki, and Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Wishnutama Kusubandio.

Also present as responders in the discussion were Financial Service Authority (OJK) Chairman Wimboh Santoso, Directors of Indonesian banks, and Indonesia Payment System Association. The webinar is part of the Indonesian Creative Work (KKI) Virtual Series 1 (28-30 August 2020).

Concluding the webinar on Sunday (30/8), Governor of BI Perry Warjiyo emphasized 5 (five) strategic measures to encourage MSMEs as a new force in the national economy.

First, synergy between Ministries and Institutions is needed to promote MSMEs as a source of economic recovery in the digital era.

Second, preparations for the transformation of MSMEs in entering the digital era must be made through structured and systematic inter-ministries/institutions programs.

Third, end-to-end MSME Development Program, from upstream to downstream, including expansion of the installation of QRIS (QR Code Indonesian Standard) as a digital payment channel for MSMEs, interconnection between e-commerce platforms, and encouraging patents on MSME products.

Fourth, strengthening creativity to provide added value and campaign for the use of MSME products.

Fifth, Affirmative Policy to encourage demand for Indonesian MSME products, including in the absorption or use of ministries/institutions’ budgets and support for the BBI program.

On this occasion, Luhut Binsar Pandjaitan also conveyed that challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic could be used as a trigger for MSMEs to make a transformation to become stronger and more competitive.

"The key to transforming MSMEs is unity and collaboration, to foster a spirit of innovation, and to maintain optimism. Through the BBI, Luhut advised all stakeholders to always reinforce the spirit of mutual cooperation and solidarity," said Luhut.

Luhut said that approximately 1.6 million units of MSMEs and small and medium industries (IKM) had entered the digital ecosystem since last 14 May, or had reached 83-85% of the 2 million target as directed by the President of the Republic of Indonesia.

BI, as movement manager of BBI  will organise a number of BBI programs under the theme Indonesian Art/Creative Market on 1-15 September 2020, namely (i) Installation and use of QRIS in the Art Market/ handicrafts MSMEs Center in 46 BI Representative Offices, (ii) Organization of webinars and onboarding of BI and Ministries/Institutions-assisted MSMEs in three regions, namely Java, Sumatra, and Eastern Part of Indonesia, (iii) Campaigning for MSME products at the 2020 Virtual Indonesian Creative Works Exhibition (KKI), (iv) Archipelago Clothes Parade using MSME products, and (v) Stimulus Program support campaign for MSMEs.

BI invited the public to visit the KKI 2020 exhibition virtually through the KKI website, namely www.karyakreatifindonesia.co.id through the platform feature which has been opened from 28 August to 30 August 2020.

BI-assisted MSMEs products are also available after 30 August on the catalog menu on the KKI website www.karyakreatifindonesia.co.id. In the future, BI will always be committed to continue developing MSMEs so that they can become the backbone of the regional and national economy, as well as synergize with various ministries and institutions (Photo: Bank Indonesia)(Reporter: Isma, Translator: Penni P. Rusman)