MSMEs Export Falls Behind Neighboring Countries, Jokowi Says

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - President Joko Widodo or Jokowi keeps pressing for the upgrading of micro, small, and medium enterprises or MSMEs. Not only do MSMEs dominate the local market, the industry must penetrate the global market, he said.

However, Indonesia is currently falling behind its neighboring countries on this matter. "Our MSMEs that have entered the exporting market is currently 15.7 percent," Jokowi said during the Brilianpreneur event as quoted from BRI's YouTube channel on Thursday.

This number is far below Indonesia's neighbors, such as Singapore at 41 percent, Thailand at 29 percent, and Myanmar at 24 percent. "This is a huge obstacle for us," he added

Jokowi reminded MSME actors to avoid neglecting the global market while trying to conquer the domestic market. "[MSMEs must dominate the local market since it is a huge one, but don't forget exporting and global markets," the state leader said.

MSMEs, he believes, are the backbone of Indonesia's economy and contribute to 61 percent of the country's GDP. "And 97 percent of manpower's absorption is attributed to MSMEs, this is important to note," Jokowi concluded.

DEFARA DHANYA PARAMITHA

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