Gibran: Pandemic Demands SMEs Go Digital

Photo via ANTARA VIA ANTARA

JAKARTA - Mayor of Surakarta Gibran Rakabuming Raka stated that the pandemic requires micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to go digital or be digital literate to defend the market.

"In the midst of a pandemic, in an era of disruption and industrial revolution 4.0. MSMEs are forced, like it or not, to 'go digital'. Previously, they are still 'offline', have not picked up the ball, now like it or not, they will 'go digital'," he said as quoted by Antara, Friday , April 23.

Gibran said the COVID-19 pandemic had an impact on limited sales activities. However, this condition makes business people more digitally literate, including the courage to try selling through the marketplace.

Regarding this cooperation, he hopes that Shopee, which is a large "marketplace" in Indonesia, can provide assistance to business actors so that MSMEs in Solo can move up in class.

"We have signed the cooperation, I want SMEs in Solo to be nurtured so they can move up in class. I am sure that the original Solo products are of high quality and are in demand by many people. Handicrafts, food, batik can penetrate the national and international market. Shopee's commitment is very influential to MSMEs. in the city of Solo, "he said.

One of the assistance that can be done is business management. According to him, currently there are still many MSME players who are not "bankable" so they cannot access bank financing.

"Many MSMEs are not 'bankable' yet. Hopefully Shopee can assist them so that MSMEs can manage 'cash flow'. This is a classic problem for MSMEs, further the hope is that these MSMEs will have more branches, and increase production capacity," continued Gibran.

"This is one of the commitments of the Solo City Government to restore Solo's economy. We will be open to those who want to help Solo MSMEs. It needs a little touch, branding, packaging, surely Solo UMKM products can compete with other city products," said Gibran.