Through This Forum, Kemenkop UKM Wants To Map The Circuit Economic Principle For ASEAN MSMEs

Kemenkop UKM-Secretariat ASEAN organizes Regional Policy Dialogue Forum on Circular Economy. Photo: Doc. KemenKopUKM

The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM) in collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat has held a Regional Policy Dialogue Forum on the Circuit Economy at the ASEAN Secretariat Building, Jakarta, on July 25-26, 2023.

The event was also attended by member countries and stakeholders of ASEAN Access which includes task force, national vocal point, and network partners. From these activities, it is hoped that later it will be able to encourage the promotion of circular economic principles in the ASEAN region.

Assistant Deputy for Market Partnership and Expansion of the Ministry of Law and Human Rights, Pixy, said the meeting discussed a draft policy recommendation to promote circular economic principles for MSMEs throughout the ASEAN region.

"The discussion begins with discussions to formulate comprehensive policy recommendations centered on important points, such as efforts to increase awareness about the circular economy and the green transition," said Pixy in a written statement received by VOI, Thursday, July 27.

There are a number of things discussed in these activities, including incorporating the understanding of the circular economy concept into basic education, the use of the ASEAN Access platform to help the transition of MSMEs to the circular economy.

Then, related to standardization through the ASEAN's eco-label or certification mechanism that is in accordance with international standards, synergies with existing ASEAN mechanisms, frameworks, and platforms, as well as sustainable investment and financing for MSMEs as incentives to encourage their involvement in the circular economy.

In addition, there are also discussions regarding increasing market and demand access (demand) for green products, including the procurement of green goods and services by the government, state-owned enterprises, the private sector, collaboration with various parties, and strengthening the local community to support the transition to a green economy.

"In this agenda, the delegates also made a visit to Smesco Indonesia to see the facilities of theployees and the Provincial Pavilion," said Pixy.

The Regional Policy Dialogue Forum that has been held is the result of consultation with the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on MSMEs (ACCMSME) and the ASEAN Access Task Force.

Also supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft fuer Internationale Zusammenareit (GIZ) GmbH with funding from the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the GIZ SME Promotion in ASEAN II project.