Minister Of Transportation Budi Karya: According To President Jokowi's Direction, People Should Be Proud Of Using Local Products

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi. (Photo: Doc. Kemenhub)

JAKARTA - The government launched the Proud Made Indonesia (BBI) movement in 2021, with the aim of encouraging people to buy and use local products produced by MSMEs. This campaign movement is expected to be able to create new industries that become the pillars of the national economy.

Minister of Transportation Budi Karya Sumadi said that in the midst of the current crisis, local product business continuity needs to be supported by increasing people's purchasing power.

"Proud to be Made in Indonesia is campaigned and launched to encourage national branding of superior local products that have been curated and are expected to rise and grow. So as to create a new industry that encourages economic growth," he said, at the virtual launch of the 2021 Proud Made Indonesia movement, Monday, 11 January.

The launch of the BBI movement was carried out in three places, namely I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport, Bali. Then, Yogyakarta International Airport, Central Java and Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Tangerang Banten.

According to President Joko Widodo's recommendation, Budi said, Indonesians should utilize local products for their needs and desires. Local products also have quality to be proud of with foreign products.

Furthermore, he said, by encouraging MSME players, the sector for this would survive even though the COVID-19 pandemic was still ongoing. One way is to continue to innovate in producing quality products, then support the community who buy local products.

Moreover, transactions in the midst of a pandemic are also easier with digital features, such as the QR Indonesia Standard (QRIS) because they can be done anywhere, anytime and do not need to be done with physical and social activities.

"Precisely when we cannot carry out activities freely but are very confident that the ability of MSMEs to produce high quality products can be done. Non-cash transactions are also brilliant, God willing, there will be exponential growth from these transactions," he said.

Budi said that he would also launch this movement at Gambir Station on 17 January. At the launch, he will present products related to transportation.

"Later, we will combine it with products related to transportation, namely bicycles, electric bikes and motorbikes, which are indeed proud creations of millennials," he said.