VAT Becomes 12 Percent, MSMEs Want DPR To Encourage Government To Provide Training To Capital

Photo by Nafinia Putra on Unsplash

JAKARTA - Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) still face challenges that are not easy. Especially when next year's VAT will be 12%. So what are the expectations of MSME actors against the DPR and the government?

As is known, the 12% VAT policy which will take effect next year also adds to this challenge. The rules regarding VAT 12% have been regulated in the Law on Harmonization of Tax Regulations (HPP) Number 7 of 2021. The government is also required to carry out the mandate of this law.

However, the DPR has been committed for a long time to support MSMEs. Various concrete steps have also been taken. One concrete step taken by the DPR is the distribution of direct assistance to MSMEs. In addition, the DPR is also actively encouraging the government to ensure assistance for capital, coaching, and marketing for MSMEs.

Regarding marketing, the DPR encourages the development of a digital ecosystem for MSMEs. Apparently, the challenges of all these steps are in line with a number of obstacles felt by MSME actors.

Food MSME actor Keanu shared his experience when running a business. Keanu runs a snack business, such as cookies and nastar. He has been running this business since 2020.

Keanu admitted that the obstacles so far are human resources and marketing strategies. Because, introducing its products to consumers is very difficult.

"The problem is in human resources and marketing. Because in one MSME there are already a lot and it is difficult for us to get to know people," he said when contacted, Monday, December 23.

He has also never received assistance related to MSME incentives. However, he participated in the bazaar which is often held by the relevant agencies.

"For example, direct assistance, as soon as I have never received it. But if there is a bazaar event, it exists," he said.

For him, the problem for MSME players is marketing. Because introducing products to the community is still difficult. He hopes that the DPR can encourage related agencies to provide training about marketing.

"MSMEs have a lot of cool ones. The problem is still in the marketing section. The product is already good, but because the market is not good, people don't know yet to buy the product. It's really good if you can help from marketing," he explained.

"I have not received information on marketing training from the relevant agencies," he said.

The same thing was also conveyed by Fauzan. Fauzan is a person who manages creative agencies to help MSME actors. He helps MSME players to create good branding and business logo designs. According to him, the problem of MSMEs is mostly here.

"There are many MSMEs whose designers are not memorable, not long-lasting, causing new problems," he said.

He highlighted the lack of platforms for MSME actors. According to him, social media is still not enough.

"We feel that there is still a shortage of platforms to introduce these MSMEs. Although there is already a lot of social media. But we feel that we are still lacking here," he said.

He hopes that the government can make MSMEs more sustainable. One of them is by encouraging events so that MSMEs can market their products.

"One of the things that is inspired by the government is so that MSMEs can be more sustainable, maybe more event-event programs, so that more people reach out for MSMEs. That's more please increase it. Because many lack platforms," he said.

MSME observer Siti Nurjanah explained her views regarding the obstacles that MSMEs often experience. Some of them are like capital problems.

"They have less financial literacy, so they cannot return the capital. So it rotates like that. They are given access to capital and the problem is the same," said Siti Nurjanah.

He also mentioned the issue of licensing. In addition, halal certification and checking product standards for exports also need attention.

"Then the issue of permits, from permits from RT, halal products, or problems when the product must be exported," he said.

"Then the problem with standard products. For example, for honey. It depends on the season. What does this season feel like, it's different. But when exported, they don't have standards," continued Siti.

He hopes that the DPR can encourage the government to continue to conduct MSME training. Of course, he continued, this policy could be carried out in a measured manner.

"The government must also be able to determine who the training targets are, and what the purpose is. When this policy is implemented, this must be measured. For example, what superior regional products do you want to highlight," he said.

He encouraged regulations and capital facilities to be properly regulated. In addition, training is also an important issue.

"Regulations that take sides, capital, licensing and loan facilities. Continue to be related to human resources as well, can be trained. Now that the government regulates the role of the private sector, what to do with universities, what to do with offices. So they don't overlap," he said.

Similar obstacles were also expressed by the Secretary of the Office of Cooperatives for Small and Medium Enterprises, Trade, and Manpower Abdul Rahim. Abdul initially revealed that his area had a regional regulation related to superior programs.

"Perda produk unggulan daerah. Atas perda tersebut kita melakukan penelitian, dengan Kalbis University. Ada 25 produk unggulan yang dari belitung timur. Salah satu kriterianya bahan baik," katanya.

From this superior product, the relevant agencies assist the branding process. Branding is adjusted to geographical indications.

"From there we do smart branding. Turn it into identifying geographical indications," he said.

He also shared that his party was working with SOEs to reduce shipping costs. Because, through this collaboration, MSMEs can get discounts.

"We promote these products to several regions to abroad. And at the time of 2021-2023, we had sent East Belitung trans honey in collaboration with PT Pos. We got discounts," he said.

However, related to obstacles, it turns out that the complaints of MSME actors are also similar. Namely related to marketing or marketing. Especially for MSME players who are in remote areas.

"The problem is that in us it is marketing, raw materials and capital. Why is the first marketing? Because we on Belitung Island are one archipelago and two districts with limited local markets," he said.