Government Assists SME/IKM Actors Go International Through The I'm Ready To Export Program

Illustration/ Photo: Ministry of Finance Doc

JAKARTA - The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) synergizes with six institutions, including related ministries to support the I Ready Export program which focuses on increasing the capacity of small and medium industries (IKM) to be able to go global.

"The collaboration of these six institutions is in order to provide capacity building in the form of training and mentoring, as well as opening market access to SMEs/IKM players engaged in the home decoration sector, with a curated number of 114 IKM participants," said Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry Dody Widodo quoting Antara, Sunday 10 October.

The collaboration is stated in the form of a Cooperation Agreement (PKS) on the I Ready Export Program which was signed by the Director General of National Export Development of the Ministry of Trade, Secretary General of the Ministry of Industry, Deputy for Marketing of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Secretary General of the National Crafts Council (Dekranas), Chair of the Presidium Indonesian Furniture and Handicraft Industry Association (HIMKI), as well as Chairman of the Business & Export Development Organization Foundation.

Dody said the Ministry of Industry appreciated the efforts of all parties involved in the cooperation, with the hope of increasing exports of SMEs to support the national economic recovery.

"Because many of our IKM players have been able to produce products that are competitive in the global arena. We need to continue to promote this," he said in a written statement.

The role of exports as one of the main sources of state foreign exchange earnings, he said, became very important in supporting the continuity of national economic development.

Indonesia's export performance until the end of August 2021 recorded a surplus value of 12.86 billion dollars, one of which was the export of home decoration and furniture products, which many SMEs were involved in.

He said the I'm Ready to Export program includes workshops, webinars, mentoring, discussions, and exhibitions that will last until December 31, 2022.

The trainers and assistants come from the stakeholders involved so that business actors have the knowledge and insight as well as readiness to be able to enter the export market.

"The I'm Ready to Export Program is covered by a Cooperation Agreement, the substance of which has been discussed and agreed by all parties," said the Acting Director General of Small, Medium and Multifarious Industries (IKMA) of the Ministry of Industry, Reni Yanita.

The Ministry of Industry has roles and obligations, including supporting the implementation of workshops, training, seminars and mentoring for selected companies in the I'm Ready to Export Program, as well as supporting the promotion of the home decoration and furniture sector on the Ministry of Industry's promotion and marketing agenda in the international market.

"It is hoped that the I Ready to Export Program, especially for IKM players in home decoration and furniture products, can strengthen Indonesia's capacity in international trade so that it can increase national exports," said Director General of IKMA Reni Yanita.