President Jokowi: Digital Transformation is Key for MSMEs to Enter Global Market
Digital transformation must aim to push Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) to expand its market, President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has said.
“We are eying expansion of digital transformation for millions of MSMEs in Indonesia. Digital transformation will pave the way for the MSMEs to enter digital marketplace and to become part of national and global supply chains,” the President said during the opening the 2021 Microsoft Developer Conference adopting a theme “Accelerating Indonesia’s Digital Economy”, Thursday (25/2).
According to the President, digital transformation is the key to resilience in COVID-19 pandemic, adding that the pandemic must also be capitalized on as a momentum to drive the acceleration of digital transformation in Indonesia, be it digital government, digital economy, digital society, or digital infrastructure.
“We must use this momentum to equip the MSMEs so they can level up,” he said.
The Head of State also pointed out that there was a spike in online sales transaction by 10 to 15 percent and this, he added, has encouraged national campaign to buy locally-made MSMEs products which are supported by e-commerce.
“Moreover, eight out of the total 60 millions of MSMEs in Indonesia are connected to digital platforms. We have to promote the progress to keep the number growing to 10 million, 15 million, 20 million, and more,” he remarked.
For that reason, President Jokowi underscored that there must be more trainings on the use of digital technology for MSMEs and the Government, he added, has implemented online training through Pre-Employment Card program.
Ministries / institutions can also adopt similar training in collaboration with digital communities, he added.
In the meantime, accelerating digital transformation in Indonesia, the President added, requires active participation from digital communities, through investment in datacenter development, acceleration of digital literacy program, and immense development of digital talents.
“I believe with the collaboration involving Indonesian digital community including Microsoft, our strength can be further developed. We have more strength to accelerate the ongoing digital transformation process,” he concluded. (DND/UN) (RAS/EP)