Talking About Collaboration To Support MSME Actors, Minister Sandi Calls It A Lighter For 1.1 Million New Jobs

Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga Uno (Photo via Twitter)

JAKARTA - Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy / Agency for Tourism and Creative Economy (Menparekraf), Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno encourages all parties to collaborate and join hands in supporting MSME actors.

By doing so, it is expected to be a trigger for 1.1 million new jobs in 2022 and 4.4 million quality jobs in 2024.

"We close the 2022 AKI in Jember with optimism and hope, because the work displayed by the 27 finalists of Apresiasi Kreasi Indonesia (AKI) is extraordinary. They penetrate the imagination, display the best products, open up business opportunities and create jobs," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga in an electronic message received in Jakarta, Tuesday, August 9.

Collaboration with various parties, said Sandiaga, is expected to raise creative economy products.

“MMR is a program that is right on target and on time. AKI is designed so that creative MSMEs are promoted. If at first they only dared to dream, now their products can be present in malls to compete with bigger brands," said Sandiaga.

With AKI, it is expected to create the widest possible employment opportunities. The government also wants to raise the spirit of MSMEs and the creative economy to become a locomotive for creating new jobs in the tourism and creative economy sectors (creative economy).

“Currently, there are 20 million MSMEs onboarding the e-commerce platform. We want that by 2023 there will be 30 million MSMEs onboarding e-commerce and entering the digital economy system," said Sandiaga.

MSMEs are expected not only to take part in the national but also international arena. Like CK Studios, which has successfully taken part in the international arena.

"We want to achieve the target so that we all become ambassadors of the Indonesian nation while abroad," said Sandiaga, who is also the former Chairperson of the Hipmi tu.

The AKI super mentor also encouraged all parties to buy MSME products if possible without bargaining, not just looking around, as evidence of taking sides with MSMEs.

“I became Rojali (the group bought) and Rogana (the group did not bargain). All I bought from one to 27 finalists. There are chocolate, wood to chili sauce that has gone international. We bought several products. It is hoped that these superior products can be created so that they can increase our exports to 2 billion dollars," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy Sandiaga.

According to research, taking pictures with public figures/officials can increase MSME sales by 35 to 45 percent. Indonesia's economy grew 5.44 percent but it is still difficult to equalize economic development. “We will go all out so that the economy can revive. I entrust 3G for MSME players, namely Gercep (fast action), Geber (joint movement), Gaspol (work on all online potential)," said Sandiaga.

Menparekraf also encouraged AKI finalists to use every moment by networking to build the widest possible network. “The gathering will open up business opportunities. The best possible collaboration, not just a competition. Then open up employment opportunities, because many need work, and find your best mentor. Apply the 4As Work ethic. Hard work, smart, thorough, and sincere," said Sandiaga.

On that occasion, Menparekraf spoke with Ayu Maulida Putri, Putri Indonesia 2020. While competing in Miss Universe, Ayu admitted that she promoted Indonesia's tourism potential a lot.

“They already know that Indonesia has a wealth of tourist destinations, from beaches to mountains. If you want to find anything in Indonesia, there is," said Ayu, a lover of Red Island in Banyuwangi, East Java, which has beautiful and clean beaches.

Speaking of Jember, of course, it cannot be separated from the iconic Jember Fashion Carnival and claimed to be the best in Asia. "Jember is out of the box, even though it is not the capital city but it can steal international attention," said Ayu, who had a show at the Jember Fashion Carnival in 2017 wearing a Borobudur costume.

In advancing tourism and the creative economy, Ayu encourages all parties to dare to try. “The key is to have the courage to try, as long as the direction is positive. For example Citayam Fashion Week. The important thing is to be brave first, if you are positive, you will certainly get government support so that it has economic value," said Ayu.

While talking to one of the AKI finalists in the field of music, one of the participants asked how local musicians could compete. Responding to this, the Menparekraf said that there had been PP No. 24 which had just been signed by President Jokowi.

“The PP is a gift for our musicians to be more competitive with international musicians, by providing space for musicians' works after HAKI (intellectual property rights) are registered to get a loan. So musicians' works can be used as loan collateral," said Sandiaga.

He added that music would be able to become a product of high economic value. "If the United States has the Grammy Awards, Korea has K-Pop, we also have that ability. The US is currently number 1, Korea number 2 and Indonesia number 3 in the music subsector. We still have a lot of homework, we will encourage our fellow national musicians not to lose to the big ones,” said Sandiaga.

Menparekraf Sandiaga Uno also talked with Raya, who is only 12 years old and has a hobby of making comics. When he met Sandiaga, Raya showed off his comics that told the story of Super Mentor AKI playing basketball, playing tennis and visiting tours.

"Can I bring it for Sulaeman, my son is 10 years old," asked Sandiaga.

"You can but you can buy it," replied Raya.

The comic was eventually sold at a price of Rp. 2 million. “Raya will become a great entrepreneur because he can sell comics up to Rp. 2 million, even though the initial offer was Rp. 1 million. The comics are cool," said Minister of Tourism and Creative Economy, Sandiaga Uno.

The 2022 Indonesian Creative Appreciation Exhibition (AKI) in its second year, has entered the 11th city/regency which took place in Jember. The flagship program of the Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy is to revive the community's economy and create job opportunities.

The Indonesian Creative Appreciation Exhibition (AKI) 2022 Jember which will be held at Lippo Plaza Jember is expected to be a maximum promotion platform for selected products and works. Thus, income will increase and Creative MSMEs will be promoted. As a strategic partner collaboration for buying and selling transactions at exhibitions using Go Pay - GOJEK.