E-Commerce Must Support MSMEs Development, President Jokowi Says

President Jokowi opens the 2021 Ministry of Trade National Working Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (04/03). Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Teguh

E-commerce must empower and strengthen micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), according to President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo.

“E-commerce must encourage the development of our MSMEs. Digital platform must be utilized to link the supply from MSMEs in Indonesia  with both the national market and the global market. E-commerce must empower our MSMEs,” the President said during the 2021 Ministry of Trade National Working Meeting at the State Palace, Jakarta, Thursday (04/03).

According to the President, MSMEs have much potential to export their products, adding that to develop the MSMEs, several measures are called for to improve products in terms of packaging and brands, supporting export-oriented product, and increasing capacity of the MSMEs.

“This is our duty to encourage banks to provide capital for our MSMEs so that their capacity can increase,” he said.

The President also underscored that the Government and other stakeholders must create a fair and beneficial e-commerce ecosystem, adding that digital transformation carried out must maintain the sovereignty of the nation and Indonesia should not become a victim of unfair digital trade.

E-commerce, the President added, must also be able to increase the use of local content and encourage domestic production to provide benefits to all parties especially MSMEs and household consumers.

The President also asserted that the Government would not implement protectionist policies.

“History proves that protectionism is detrimental. But we also must not fall victim to unfair practices from the world’s digital giants. Digital transformation is a win-win solution for all parties,” the President concluded. (FID/UN) (RI/EP)