Warning From Iriana Jokowi For MSMEs, Must Well Prepared, Maintain Quality And Improve Marketing Skills

JAKARTA - The COVID-19 pandemic has hit micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). In fact, not a few MSMEs have collapsed, stopped their production, and even laid off employment or laid off their employees. To that end, First Lady Iriana Joko Widodo (Jokowi) invites all parties to buy and use MSME products.

"I also invite all Indonesian people to be more proud of Indonesian products, more buyers use Indonesian products so that our MSMEs are able to get through this difficult situation. So that people who work in the MSME sector can still earn income," she said in the opening The virtual peak of the Indonesian Creative Work (KKI) 2021, Jakarta, Thursday, September 23.

Furthermore, Iriana said in difficult times due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Indonesian MSME businesses must prepare themselves as well as possible by increasing their expertise in producing products, designs, and marketing.

"At a time when all nations experience delays, we must prepare ourselves as well as possible, increase expertise in terms of product, design, and marketing so that we can answer the tastes and needs of the domestic and international community," she said.

Iriana said that improving the quality and marketing of products is important. Because, he said, this could make Indonesian MSME products more known and in demand.

"It is time for MSMEs to transform into new economic forces by increasing MSME capacity, organizing various pieces of training such as digitalization, entrepreneurship, business coaching, the ability to build business relationships," she said.

In addition, Iriana said that the opportunities for Indonesian MSMEs to grow large and advanced are wide open. One of the supporting factors is Indonesia's large domestic market.

"Our domestic market is very large. There are 270 million Indonesians who are ready to buy Indonesian MSME products. In addition, there is also an international market whose opportunities are wider," she said.

Therefore, said Iriana, business actors must be able to take advantage of virtual spaces or digital platforms to promote and market products. With virtual space, it can expand the reach of MSMEs in conducting promotions. Digital platforms, according to Iriana, provide wider opportunities for MSMEs to sell their products without being limited by space and time.

"In the future, our MSMEs must continue to be encouraged to have broad orientation and knowledge about exports. With understanding and competence in digitalization and support for quality products equivalent to MSME products from around the world," she said.