Apindo Concerning Tokopedia And TikTok Collaboration: Platforms Are Important For MSMEs Selling

Chairman of Apindo Shinta W. Kamdani. (Photo: Theresia Agatha/VOI)

JAKARTA - The Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) has opened its voice regarding the strategic partnership between PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk (GOTO) and TikTok which was announced on Monday, December 11, 2023.

Apindo Chairman Shinta W Kamdani said the partnership was very good. Given, the TikTok platform is very important for MSMEs to sell online.

"I think the most important thing for MSMEs is because the platform is needed for them to sell online," Shinta said when met after the Dialogue agenda of the Indonesian Employers' Association (Apindo) entitled "Capres 2024 Roadmap for the Indonesian Economy 2024-2029" in the Tendean area, South Jakarta, Monday, December 11.

Shinta assessed that so far the main problem is regarding regulations governing sales on the TikTok platform itself. In fact, he said, the platform from China really helps MSMEs to sell their products.

"The important thing is that the rules are followed because the problems that have regulations are not clear, hopefully this can be implemented. For the sake of MSMEs, he (TikTok) is a useful platform," he said.

Even so, Shinta emphasized that there needs to be justice in regulations for traders, both offline and online. So, no party will benefit more.

"So, from one side, we have to pay attention to having a platform, but from offline and online we have to pay attention to the perpetrators because they have to compete together in the same conditions. So, nothing is more prioritized," he added.

Previously reported, PT GoTo Gojek Tokopedia Tbk (GOTO) and TikTok established strategic partnership cooperation to strengthen Indonesia's digital economy growth.

This collaboration will focus on empowering and expanding the market for national MSME players.

As part of this strategic partnership, the Tokopedia and TikTok Shop Indonesia businesses will be combined under Tokopedia, which TikTok will have control over Tokopedia.

The shopping service feature in the TikTok application in Indonesia will be operated and managed by Tokopedia.

On the other hand, TikTok will invest more than $1.5 billion as a long-term commitment to supporting Tokopedia's operations, without further dilution on GoTo's ownership in Tokopedia.