Assisting MSME Awards 2024, Danone Indonesia's Commitment Encourages Indonesian MSME Growth And Innovation

Photo: Special

JAKARTA - In order to welcome the National MSME Day which was commemorated on August 12, Danone Indonesia collaborated with the Usman Umar Business Campus and supported by the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (Kemenkop UKM), to hold the 2024 MSME Awards Damping.

This award event aims to capture and appreciate the best MSME actors from all over the country who have been creative, innovate, inspire and have an impact, as well as introduce their superior products. Raising the theme UMKM Presidential, Create Collaboration, Damping MSME Awards 2024 is the first time that Damping has held an award, a program initiated by Danone Indonesia with the Usman Umar Business Campus since 2020 which focuses on developing MSMEs.

Based on data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Indonesia has 65.5 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). As an important pillar of development, MSMEs contribute greatly to the nation's economy. The MSME sector contributed 61 percent to Indonesia's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) or Rp9,580 trillion, while the contribution of MSMEs to employment reached 97 percent of the total workforce.

The World Bank in 2023 projects that in the next three years, the Indonesian economy will grow by more than 0.1 percent every year, and MSMEs as drivers of the Indonesian economy will increase to 83.3 million perpetrators in 2034.

Ir. Arif Rahman Hakim, M.Si, Secretary of the Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs when representing Teten Masduki, as Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs of the Republic of Indonesia at the 2024 Damping Awards, appreciated Danone for the initiatives that have been carried out such as the 2024 Damping Awards program because it has provided motivation for MSME actors to continue to grow.

"We hope that the growing MSME actors will not stop growing alone, but are also pleased to share and provide assistance for other MSME actors, because based on our data, MSMEs who are accompanied have more successful opportunities than those who are not accompanied. We hope that the mentoring program can help micro business actors increase to become small business actors. With this growth, we hope that MSME actors can contribute to economic growth and realize Golden Indonesia," said Arif Rachman, in a written statement, Tuesday, August 6.

Rachmat Hidayat, Government & External Scientific Affairs Director, Danone Indonesia, said that Damping is a form of Danone Indonesia's commitment to supporting local MSMEs to innovate and achieve sustainable growth, by providing access to the resources and knowledge we have. This is in line with Danone Impact Journey, where the development of Human Resources is one of the pillars of the company's sustainability strategy.

"As a form of appreciation for creative and accomplished MSMEs, we are working with partners to expand our support for Indonesian MSMEs by organizing the 2024 MSME Awards Damping activities. This activity is expected to strengthen the MSME ecosystem in Indonesia, encourage entrepreneurial enthusiasm and increase the competitiveness of MSME players in the country," explained Rachmat.

Dr. Yulius., MA, Deputy for Micro Business at the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, said that efforts to empower MSMEs are not only carried out by the government, but also the roles of all parties and stakeholders are needed and need to be expanded.

"Through synergy and collaboration, we can advance MSMEs in a sustainable manner. The initiative carried out by Danone Indonesia through the Damping and Damping MSME Awards program is a concrete example of how private parties can help local MSMEs advance to class, by giving recognition of their achievements and providing the support they need to compete in a wider market," said Yulius.

Consistently held for four years, the Damping program has touched more than 8,900 beneficiaries and more than 3,300 MSMEs from all over Indonesia attended the intensive mentoring class by Damping.

Asep Hendriana, Chairman of the Umar Education Foundation Management Usman, added, through the Damping program, his party provides assistance and training for MSMEs to develop human resources and improve their capabilities, especially in facing various business challenges in the digital era.

"A number of activities were held, including business assistance, webinars, as well as education and provision of market access through digitalization. Umar Usman's business campus as an educational institution gave birth to new entrepreneurs, but through the supply of entrepreneurs this was developed," he said.

This time, as a form of appreciation and support for the growth of MSMEs, Damping is holding the 2024 MSME Awards Damping. This award event, in addition to giving recognition to outstanding MSMEs, also opens opportunities for MSMEs to network and collaborate with various stakeholders, including the government, the private sector, and the local community.

Assisting the 2024 MSME Awards gives awards to outstanding and innovative MSMEs in several categories, namely MSMEs with Positive Impact, Innovative MSMEs, Best Incubator MSMEs, and Inspirational Young Entrepreneurs. The following is a list of award-winning MSMEs in each category:

How About MSMEs With Positive Impact On Culinary Category: Cindo Lapak Totaling MSMEs With Positive Impact On Non-Culinary Category: Kampoeng Anyamanmen's Aninovative MSMEs: Bosteaakmen's Best MSME Incubator: Legend Trends Of Inspirational Young Entrepreneurs: Kalapa Klopo

"We believe that consistent multi-sector support and collaboration is the key to creating a strong and sustainable MSME and entrepreneurial ecosystem. Through this mentoring and awarding program, Danone Indonesia wants to encourage the growth of the Indonesian MSME ecosystem and produce more outstanding and highly competitive MSMEs. Thus we can contribute to inclusive and sustainable national economic growth," concluded Rachmat.