TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Facebook have been focusing heavily on making investments to develop Small-Medium Enterprises (SMEs) all over the globe, including in Indonesia. The move isaimed at improving digital skills of the people, which in turn is expected to improve SMEs.

"Facebook invests as much as USD 1 billion globally to provide tools and supports for SMEs, including in Indonesia," said Southeast Asia Facebook Director of SMB Sarita Singh, at Facebook Indonesia Office in Kuningan Barat, South Jakarta, on Tuesday, August 21, 2018.

Singh mentioned that Facebook had provided training to more than 15,000 Indonesian SMEs. The training was held in more than 20 cities throughout Indonesia offline and online, such as in Jakarta, Surabaya, Medan, Jambi, Batam, Bandar Lampung, and Samarinda, among others.

According to Singh, SMEs are not just a driving force for economic growth in the country. "They are also the heartbeat of our community," Singh added. Facebook is committed to encouraging SMEs and big enterprises to adopt mobile marketing strategies through Facebook programs and product solutions.

Head of Emerging Business and SMB Indonesia and the Philippines Ferdy Nandes, explained that Facebook global investment began in 2011 and still continues today. Fardy added that Facebook Indonesia receives support from Facebook headquarters in the US for holding SMEs training.

"We are working with our eight education partners to help provide education throughout Indonesia. We are not only focused on big cities, but we are also venturing into remote places," Ferdy said, adding that Facebook provided training to SMEs in various fields such as culinary, coffee, and fashion among others.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI