Shopee 'Kicks' 13 Foreign Products Of Muslim Clothing, Mukena Etc., Minister Teten: Save IDR 300 Trillion In MSME Income

Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs, Teten Masduki. (Photo: Doc. Antara)

JAKARTA - The government through the Ministry of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (Kemenkop UKM) continues to strive to improve protection for MSME products, especially from unhealthy competition. This government's move is supported by the digital platform Shopee, which closes access to 13 crossborder products that enter Indonesia.

Menkop UKM Teten Masduki said Shopee's step needs to be appreciated. This is because the closure of these 13 foreign product categories has saved MSME products worth IDR 300 trillion per year.

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.

Furthermore, Teten said, this step is very important so that MSME products can be protected and can compete. Thanks to the follow-up carried out by Kemenkop UKM with Shopee, it was agreed that this digital platform would curate foreign products entering the country.

"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 almost Rp. year, "he said in a virtual joint press conference with Shopee, Tuesday, May 18.

Teten said it is undeniable that digitalization is a necessity that must be carried out by business actors, especially MSMEs, so that they can go digital and develop a wider range of business. Therefore, digitizing UMKM is the focus of Kemenkop UKM.

"MSMEs also need a digital market. Therefore, the collaboration between MSMEs, the government and digital platform managers in the future, I think this needs to be improved, by prioritizing selling UMKM products," he explained.

On the same occasion, Shopee Indonesia Director Handhika Jahja said that his party is trying to prioritize local sellers and products.

"These 13 types of businesses are arguably the first studies that we will continue to discuss in accordance with the direction from the government regarding the types of businesses that local entrepreneurs want to encourage, especially those with production in Indonesia," Handhika said.

Furthermore, Handhika said, the percentage of foreign products in Shopee was only 3 percent of total sales. He predicts that this ban will not have a big impact on Shopee. With this ban, it is hoped that Shopee can further support MSME players and further advance the national economy.