The Trade Ministry aims to cover one million MSMEs (250 thousand people’s market traders and 750 thousand people’s non-market traders) through market digitisation by utilising digital platforms in terms of transactions and payments, Deputy Minister of Trade, Jerry Sambuaga, said on Monday (30/1). So far, the ministry has helped MSMEs access markets and sell their products through its 46 representative offices spread overseas, Sambuaga informed. The ministry has concluded 26 trade agreements to allow for easier market access. Further, the ministry will encourage the marketing of local products through the Bangga Buatan Indonesia (Proudly Made in Indonesia) program, he informed. In parallel, the ministry is consistently pursuing measures to increase the competitiveness of MSMEs through training and assistance, improve the quality of their products, and build the management capacity of business actors. The measures also include the extension of business partnerships and expansion of market access. Separately, Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and world's leader in payment systems, Visa, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to improve Indonesian micro, small and medium enterprises' (MSMEs') skills and financial literacy. Chairman of KADIN Indonesia Arsjad Rasjid said SMEs have an important role to play as a catalyst for the Indonesian economy since they are able to absorb a sizable workforce of 97% and dominate 99% of Indonesia's business structure. However, he assessed that MSMEs in Indonesia still have limitations in terms of access and financial literacy. On the other hand, the digital skills of MSMEs are still relatively low, thereby hindering scalability and integration with export markets and global value chains. (ICE GIACARTA)

Fonte notizia: Antara News - 30 January 2023