Tokopedia Helps Women-Owned MSMEs to Obtain NIB

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Tokopedia is the first e-commerce company to collaborate with the government through the Ministry of Investment of the Republic of Indonesia (Kemenves RI)/Investment Coordinating Board (BKPM), to socialize and facilitate the attainment of Business Identification Number (NIB) to MSMEs. Throughout 2022, Tokopedia and the government have helped more than 5,000 MSMEs, including women entrepreneurs from all over Indonesia, to register for NIB. 

"Going forward, Tokopedia together with the Indonesian Ministry of Investment/BKPM will continue to strive to help more MSMEs, especially women, to obtain NIB. This is to provide legal protection and business assistance so that they can increasingly contribute to the domestic digital economy in a fair and optimal manner," said Tokopedia's Head of Public Relations, Rizky Juanita Azuz. 

Various types of special training for women entrepreneurs, including those related to NIB, are carried out by Tokopedia together with strategic partners such as the government in various regions in Indonesia. One of them is through the Digital Advanced Women Class (KPMD). 

Tokopedia and Kemenves/BKPM together also carry out various other initiatives to empower women-owned MSMEs. Currently, there are around 12 million sellers who have joined Tokopedia and almost 100 percent of them are MSMEs, including those owned by women. LPEM FEB UI 2020 research also revealed that the number of women-owned MSMEs who started a business from scratch through Tokopedia during the pandemic was almost 1.5 times higher than men. 

"In order to maximize the potential of women MSMEs, we continue to intensify our Hyperlocal initiatives, such as Kumpulan Toko Pilihan (KTP) and Toko Cepat dan Irit (Tokcer) and Dilayani Tokopedia. There are also BBI, Women in Style, and Cantik Fest campaigns," said Rizky.  

Tokopedia also helps local women entrepreneurs such as Heaven Lights, Jewel Rocks, BLP Beauty, Kami, and Wearing Klamby at world fashion week events. "Thanks to these efforts, Tokopedia recorded an increase in the number of women sellers by almost 30 percent in early 2023 compared to the same period before the pandemic in March 2020," Rizky said. 

Tokopedia Helps Women-Owned MSMEs to Obtain NIB

Some of the regions with the highest spike in the number of women sellers are Denpasar, Badung, Balikpapan, Makassar, and Palembang, with an average three times increase. Some of the categories on Tokopedia with the highest increase in the number of women sellers include Animal Care, Books, Food and Beverages, Party Supplies and Crafts to Sports, with an average increase of more than two times during early 2023 compared to same period before the pandemic. 

In addition to the various increases that occurred in women-owned MSMEs, Tokopedia also noted interesting findings in terms of women as buyers in early 2023. "The increase in the number of women buyers reached nearly 40 percent compared to the same period before the pandemic," said Rizky. 

Food and beverages, health, household, kitchen, and body care are some of the categories on Tokopedia that are most demanded by women. Meanwhile, home furnishings, hair care products, spices and cooking ingredients, party decorations, and makeup are some of the products on Tokopedia that are most sought after by women. 

Meanwhile, Special Staff and Spokesperson for the Indonesian Ministry of Investment/BKPM Tina Talisa said, NIB is the entry point for businessmen, including businesswomen, for important document processing, such as halal certification, SPP-IRT, SNI, and so on. "We really appreciate the support from Tokopedia in facilitating and socializing NIB to MSMEs." 

According to her, other benefits that can be obtained by women MSMEs after having NIB are easier access to financing (banking) for business development, easier access to assistance programs from the government, having certainty or legal protection for businesses, and many more. 

Stephanie Nursalim, the owner of Morningsol, empowers a number of women artisans in Sukoharjo, Central Java. Morningsol utilizes the Tokopedia online platform to sell various types of women's fashion products, such as blouses, shirts, pants, and dresses. 

"NIB makes it easier for us to become an Official Store on Tokopedia so that our business becomes more credible. Almost 50 percent of Morningsol sales occur through Tokopedia. We really appreciate Tokopedia's efforts with the government in facilitating and socializing NIB, which makes it easier for more MSMEs to obtain business licenses," said Stephanie. 

Vica Mardika Wong, Owner of Kemayu and Co, which produces various types of Indonesian air fresheners, empowering their employees who are almost all women, expressed a similar sentiment regarding the benefits of NIB ownership. 

"NIB helps us develop our business further. After having NIB and becoming an Official Store on Tokopedia, Kemayu, and Co experienced an increase in orders of about six-fold. We get many new customers through Tokopedia, from individuals, and companies to government bodies." said Vica. 

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