VOI - Voice of Indonesia | RRI - Radio Republik Indonesia

Indonesian Ministry of Industry keeps trying to accelerate the small and medium industries to have digital transformation in their production and business process. Minister of Industry, Agus Gumiwang said in Jakarta on Tuesday (22/06) that this strategy is done through the "e-Smart IKM" which aims to boost competitiveness and expand market access. According to Minister Agus, the e-Smart IKM has been ongoing since 2017 and has trained 13,184 small and medium industry owners in Indonesia. They have now been able to enter and run digital marketing on the available marketplace.

Minister Agus Gumiwang further explained that the e-Smart IKM program is held to allow the small and medium industry owners in accessing partners that can support ‘the go digital’ such as marketplace, information and communication technology volunteer, as well as state-owned business that supports the small and medium industries. He also affirmed that the government targets 6.1 million micro small and medium businesses to enter the digital marketplace in 2021.

Minister Agus added that the target is in line with the priority program in the Making Indonesia 4.0 roadmap. The great idea is to make Indonesian industry sector have more global competitiveness. So, Indonesia can join the world's 10 strongest economies by 2030. Therefore, one of their priority is empowering the small and medium industries to be more optimal in using digital technology and running e-business. This is also in line with ‘the Proud of Indonesian Product National Movement’ launched by President Joko Widodo in 2020. Through this movement, the government is synergizing with the businesspeople and the public to love and buy local products.

Meanwhile, Director General of the Small Medium and Multifarious Industry, Gati Wibawaningsih said that the e-Smart IKM will be held in the form of workshops in various regions. The workshop materials will include online marketing video contents, tips and tricks for product photographing, and the use of a marketplace for marketing. She also affirmed that this year, her side targets to provide e-business education, training, and assistance for 4.000 small and medium industry owners in Indonesia.