President Jokowi: Use Domestic Instead of Imported Goods

President Jokowi launches Inclusive Partnership Movement to Level Up MSMEs, at SMESCO Building, Jakarta, Monday (10/03). (Photo by: BPMI/Muchlis Jr.)

President Joko “Jokowi” Widodo has called for a halt to imported products that can be produced domestically.

“For any product, if we can produce it domestically, don’t import it,” said the President at the launching of Inclusive Partnership Movement to Level Up MSMEs, Monday (10/03), at the SMESCO Building, Jakarta.

The President cited an example of Indonesia that is still importing asphalt, even though it has a large asphalt deposit in Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi province.

“Last week I went to Buton regency, Southeast Sulawesi province, which has an asphalt deposit of 662 million tons and still in the process of downstreaming and industrialization. It’s only from one company. We have 662 million tons of asphalt, yet we still import it,” he said.

In his remarks, the President also encouraged training for farmers so that they can reduce imports of food commodities. He said that he was glad to hear that the country’s corn imports value declined after the farmers got training and assistance from the Government.

“Based on a report, in Dompu regency, previously one hectare of land could only produce four tons. Now, one hectare can produce eight tons. The production cost is at around Rp1,800 – Rp1,900 and the selling price is at around Rp3,800 per kilo. The profit has reached 100 percent,” he said, adding that the same measure should be applied to farmers for other food commodities.

“Not only corn, other commodities must follow the same measure. If we can do it for corn, we will be able to do it for rice, cassava, konjac, coffee, and others,” he added.

In addition, the Head of State said that the training must also be carried out for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) for knowledge about product packaging and good branding. With this training, the President expressed hope that the products produced by MSMEs can level up to international markets.

“I expect such breakthroughs so that our local products do not only dominate domestic markets, but also international markets. This is what we are aiming for,” he said.

Furthermore, President Jokowi explained the importance of building partnerships between companies and local MSMEs. He expressed belief that the partnership will have a good impact, including in dealing with extreme poverty in Indonesia.

“For example, there will be many automotive factories that will be established in our country. I have ordered them to partner with industrial SMEs for the supply of exhaust, mirrors, interior of the seats, and other components. Big companies should partner with farmers or MSMEs,” he remarked. (FID/UN) (EST/MMB)