‘MSMEs Digital Heroes’ Program Officially Rolled Out to Boost Technology Use

Infographics on MSMEs Digital Heroes. (Source: KemenkopUKM)

In a bid to boost the use of digital technology in developing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in collaboration with the initiator of MSMEs Digital Heroes – who is also presidential staffer – Putri Tanjung rolled out “MSMEs Digital Heroes” program.

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki and Putri Tanjung officially launched the program through the Ministry YouTube account and Instagram Live account @kemenkopukm, @pahlawandigital, and @putritanjung on Saturday, 15 August 2020 at 2 pm Western Indonesian Time in Jakarta.

One of the goals of this program is to select 10 best winners who will become partners of the Ministry to carry out the digitization of MSMEs. In addition, the program also provides opportunities for digital innovators to be matched with venture capital for investment.

The launching of the program entitled “Innovations for MSMEs Go Digital” was held in order to give appreciation digital innovators of SMEs and to attract new innovators. Apart from Teten and Putri, assisting market trader online platform Titipku CEO Henri Suhardja, warteg online selling platform Wahyoo CEO Peter Shearer, and Grab Indonesia Managing Director Neneng Goenadi also acted as speakers.

The Minister emphasized the importance of the roles of technology in speeding up MSMEs so they can sell their products online. This acceleration is needed through young innovators so that 64 million MSMEs across the country can significantly increase their income.

“The Ministry provides incentives to young innovators so they can help MSMEs players more broadly,” he said, adding that competition for MSMEs is currently quite fierce.

Therefore, he suggested, product quality and order mechanism are crucial so MSMEs players need to continue to develop and maintain.

According to him, there are still many MSMEs that do not have good business premises. In fact, most of them carry out business activities in their respective homes. Through market place, their problems can be resolved.

“We learnt how important it is to sell products via online during the COVID-19,” he said.

Meanwhile, Putri also emphasized the importance of adaptation to ongoing changes. Not only MSMEs, in pandemic conditions, everyone should be adaptive to and creative in exploring ways to resolve problems, she said.

“To be adaptive, we need training and mentoring. Even in “Digital Heroes”, young innovators who have good ideas also still need assistance. That way, they can develop and be more adaptive and can help more MSMEs,” she said.

On that occasion, Putri also encouraged young innovators to participate in the “MSMEs Digital Heroes” program so they can contribute to the nation and the state to realize an advanced and victorious Indonesia,” she said. (KemenkopUKM PR/SKP Putri Tanjung/EN)

Translator: Muhardi
Reviewed by: Mia Medyana B.