The Ministry of Communication and Information launched the Digital Technology Adoption Program 4.0, to help Small, Micro, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) transform from selling offline to online.

The Director General of Information Applications at the Ministry of Communication and Informatics, Semuel A Pangerapan, explained that MSMEs were included in the program because they represented the people's economy, which could absorb nearly 97 percent of the workforce in Indonesia.

"In fact, it can contribute 60.42 percent to the National Gross Domestic Product," he explained at the launch of the Digital Technology 4.0 Adoption Program for MSMEs on a hybrid basis, as in a press statement received on Friday (13/5/2022).

Citing data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) in April 2020, Semuel said, there had been an increase in online sales of 480 percent compared to data in January of the same year.

"The Covid-19 pandemic has also encouraged the public and the business world to make more use of e-commerce in their business transactions," he said.

In order to be successful in the Digital Technology 4.0 Adoption Program for MSMEs, he continued, in 2021 the Ministry of Communication and Informatics has facilitated assistance to 26 thousand MSMEs to actively sell (active selling) digitally, to manufacturers in the processing sector in 10 priority tourism areas.

"The processing sector consists of food and beverage products, wood and woven crafts, textiles and apparel, furniture, leather crafts, handicrafts and so on, based on the Indonesian Standard Classification of Business Fields (KBLI) compiled by the Central Statistics Agency," he said.

In 2022, he added, the program will be continued and improved by facilitating assistance to 30 thousand MSMEs.

Semuel stated that this was done to increase the ability (scale up) to adopt digital 4.0 technology for manufacturers in the processing sector in 13 Priority Areas.

"The thirteen priority areas consist of North Sumatra, Bangka Belitung, Banten, DKI Jakarta, East Java, DI Yogyakarta & Central Java, North Maluku, West Nusa Tenggara, East Nusa Tenggara, Southeast Sulawesi, West Kalimantan, Papua and West Papua. ," he said.

For people who want to be involved in this activity, he is advised to register immediately via the official registration link, and to be careful of other information on behalf of the Ministry of Communications and Informatics.

"Registration for this program can be done at the registration link, namely https://umkmgoonline.kominfo.go.id/registrasi and registration will take place from 15 - 22 May 2022," he added.

Semuel further revealed, the stages of registering MSMEs were filling out emails and MSME profiles, filling out questionnaires on the need for digital technology adoption, and expressing willingness to participate in mentoring activities for six months from May to October 2022.

"MSMEs that become mentoring participants will get benefits in the form of a data package for 6 months, access to aggregator applications & applications and online learning materials/learning management systems, as well as free assistance from various digital platforms for six months," he explained.

With the increase in the level of technology adoption, he hopes that MSMEs can advance to class and contribute more to the national economy, especially in the process of economic recovery after the Covid-19 pandemic.

"In addition, the rise of MSMEs in the manufacturing sector is expected to increase domestic production, increase export value, and support the Proudly Made in Indonesia Movement," he hoped.

The launch of this program is also expected to synergize and get support from other ministries/agencies as well as local governments, considering that there are still many other MSMEs that still need a touch of assistance in the application of digital technology.

"It is hoped that this National Program can become a sustainable movement and achieve a shared vision, namely realizing a Golden Indonesia through industry 4.0 by 2025. Indonesia is connected, more digital, more advanced!" he said. (RRI)