President Jokowi Tells MSME Players to Utilize Online Platforms to Boost Revenue

President Jokowi at the issuance of business identification number for individual SME actors at the Special Forces’ Nanggala Sports Center in East Jakarta, Wednesday (07/13). (Photo by: PR of Cabinet Secretariat/Jay)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has urged micro, small, and medium enterprise players to make the most of online platforms in marketing their products in order to boost business revenue.

The President made the statement after several microentrepreneurs shared their success stories about improving their business through various online applications at the Issuance of Business Identification Number (NIB) of Individual Small and Medium Enterprise Players for the year 2022 at the Special Forces’ Nanggala Sports Center in Jakarta, Wednesday (07/13).

Wageningtyas, a mother who sells Bandung-styled toasts, said her business revenue reaches Rp1 million per day thanks to online apps she uses to market her products.

Sharing a similar experience, Ngadimin, a chicken noodle vendor from Bojonegoro, revealed that he managed to improve his business by using online apps, adding that his revenue per day is between Rp500,000 and Rp1 million, 90 percent of which from orders from online apps.

Ngadimin also said that online platforms have enabled him to slash operational costs as he does not need to have a stall at a strategic location to sell his food, adding that he began selling chicken noodle in a rented house.

In response to those success stories, the President urged those MSME players to follow suit as online platforms offer bigger opportunities to market products, while also reminding them to enhance production preparedness as they market their products online.

“But bear in mind that once you enter online markets, you must be ready in terms of production. Underproduction must not happen. There are many cases of underproduction and [the businesses] are not ready, so you must be prepared if you receive many orders. I think it is good that [MSME players] can enter online markets,” he said.

“For food vendors, once again, use online platforms. Make the most of them. Follow Pak Amin (Ngadimin). If the product is good, the taste is delicious, the packaging is appealing, selling them online is the fastest way, especially if the products are unique [and] have a character, such as snacks unique to Minang. Those aspects serve as distinction. There is a differentiation. That will make sales fast,” the President remarked. (MAY/UN) (DH/EP)