President Jokowi Invites MSEs to Embark on Online Market

President Jokowi talks to recipients of Working Capital Assistance, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (16/12). (Photo by: Public Relations/Agung)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo urged micro and small entrepreneurs to embark on online market.

“If possible, join the online market now because in the future, everyone will definitely enter the market. The item can be anything, it can be martabak (a sweet, savory stuffed pancake), nasi uduk (steamed coconut rice), grocery items,” President Jokowi said during the handover of Working Capital Assistance to micro and small businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, at the State Palace, Jakarta, Wednesday (16/12).

Competition between online and offline markets, the President said, has been occuring and will continue to occur. “Offline market is declining due to the online rival, the buyers also incline to buy through (online market),” he said.

For that reason, the President will instruct Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises to guide business actors to switch to online system.

“How to offer goods online has become a necessity nowadays. How many people are online, you don’t have to enter the marketplace, you can sell via Facebook, you can sell via Instagram, you can sell anything,” he added.

Moreover, in today’s condition, the President said, where everyone stays at home, online transactions are an option. “We must not ignore the current development. There are situations that we should inevitably follow, if not, at some point we will suddenly be left behind,” he stated.

“In this condition, we must be resilient, endure the test, withstand difficult pressures, so that at some point we can return to normal,” he said. (FID/UN) (FI/MUR)