TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo stated that the contribution to the country's export was still dominated by large businesses with a total ratio of up to 85.6 percent, while small and medium enterprises (SMEs) only contributed to 14 percent of the total number.

"I'm saying this as it is. The contribution to exports is still dominated by big businesses. But, don't be discouraged. I'm optimistic this condition will turn around," said the President during his welcoming speech at the 'MSMEs Export BRIlianpreneur 2019' event in South Jakarta on Friday, December 20, 2019.

According to Jokowi, SME products have improved and are becoming more competitive. Jokowi said that SME products now use better quality materials and are well-packaged.

Jokowi also urged economy key players, especially SMEs, to further increase their production capacity and competitiveness in a bid to develop the export market.

However, the President reminded SME entrepreneurs to focus not only on boosting capacity and product competitiveness for the export market, but also on dominating domestic markets. Jokowi said that the country's domestic market has high economic potential.

"Do not leave the domestic market just to concentrate on export and let Indonesia be filled with import goods. Win the domestic market, and then penetrate to the global market to boost exchange rate," Jokowi said.

DIAS PRASONGKO