After Mr. Viral. Hu On Twitter, Shopee Kicks Several Chinese Products So They Don't Enter Indonesia

JAKARTA - Mr. Phenomenon. Hu became a trending topic and was discussed on Twitter some time ago. Mr. Hu is suspected of being a seller from China who sells various cheap products in Indonesia. In the aftermath of this phenomenon, Shopee Indonesia decided to close access to 13 foreign products, especially China, on its digital platform.

This decision is a follow-up to the meeting between the Kemenkop UKM and Shopee Indonesia. This step aims to protect the local products of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

The 13 product categories that are prohibited from entering Indonesia by Shopee are hijab, male Muslim tops, female Muslim subordinates, Muslim dresses, male Muslim tops, male Muslim subordinates, Muslim outwear, mukena, children's Muslim clothing, Muslim accessories, prayer equipment, batik, and kebaya.

Shopee Indonesia Executive Director Handhika Jahja said that his party is trying to prioritize local sellers and products in its digital platform. At the same time, it provides more opportunities for local business actors so that local products can be more competitive.

"Shopee is an MSME business, the driving force of the state is MSMEs, no MSMEs, no Shopee. So we support the MSME policy so that we can live up to this new policy," he said in a virtual press conference, Tuesday, May 18.

Together with Kemenkop, Handhika said, Shopee will continue to study what products need to be limited in order to prioritize local product sellers.

"So these 13 business products are the first study. Later, we will continue to discuss what types of businesses we want to encourage from the local entrepreneur's side, especially Indonesian production," he explained.

Furthermore, Handhika admitted that the restriction was not detrimental to Shopee. Because so far, the percentage of foreign businesses in the marketplace is only three percent.

"So it does not cause Shopee's business to change significantly. Through this policy, it is hoped that the 3 percent value can be even smaller," he said.

Handhika also emphasized that there was no coercion from the government regarding the closure of access to these 13 foreign products. Because, this limitation step is the result of discussion.

On the same occasion, Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs Teten Masduki said that currently Indonesia has entered into free trade. However, Teten said, it does not mean that UMKM products have to lose and die against the onslaught of foreign products. Moreover, many Indonesian producers are able to make it.

Teten said, this closure also has the potential to save UMKM products of nearly Rp. 300 trillion per year. Starting from the Muslim fashion industry of Rp. 280 trillion and the potential for the batik industry to reach Rp. 4.89 trillion.

"I think Shopee has also agreed to identify and curate foreign products that enter Indonesia so as not to kill local products, not kill MSMEs. I think this is one thing that needs to be appreciated. This has a large enough potential to save MSMEs, which is nearly Rp. 300 trillion per year. , "said Teten.