By: Dodik Prasetyo) *
The government has launched a movement to love domestic products, so that the MSME sector is safe. Because during a pandemic, they are the ones who fall the most when they lose customers, after people’s purchasing power has dropped dramatically. If MSMEs are safe, then Indonesia’s economy will be safe, because they are the backbone of Indonesia’s finances.
So far, we often see advertisements for imported products that seem beautiful. Indeed, many artists use foreign-made products at fantastic prices. There is even a bag that costs tens to hundreds of millions of rupiah. Even though the shape is very small, so it can’t fit many objects in it.
Unfortunately, the mindset that foreign-made goods are better still lingers in the heads of many people. There are also those who buy it for prestige reasons. Whereas domestically made products are equally good and have almost the same quality. In addition, the price is also much cheaper, because there is no need to pay taxes and expensive shipping costs.
President Jokowi campaigns for the love of domestic products. Because buying domestic products is a form of concern for other communities. You do this by shopping in the micro, ultra-micro sector, and buying domestically made goods. In that sense, if many people make purchases, our economy will be lifted.
President Jokowi added that domestically-made goods are no less good than those made abroad. In that sense, actually the quality of authentic Indonesian products is also good, it’s just that the promotion may be lacking. When the president instructs to buy products made in Indonesia, it will indirectly neutralize that the quality of authentic Indonesian goods is very good.
There have been many authentic Indonesian products that are strong and have stunning designs. For example, MSME manufacturers of leather bags and wallets from Jogjakarta. They made an exclusive leather wallet design and had a batik motif, making it ethnic and very attractive. Even this product is also in demand by foreign tourists, because it is very exotic, attractive, and not in the market.
In addition, there are also producers of MSME sandals and shoes from Bali. The products are very unique and eye catching, so they are suitable for women who like fashion. This sandal has entered the international arena and has been exported, so that the quality is not in doubt. This shows that Indonesian-made goods also maintain quality and are not inferior to foreign products.
There are also dresses that are the target of artists abroad, even though they were designed by an original Indonesian designer. The unique clothing shows the artistic taste of fashion designers in our country, and shows that our clothes are no less beautiful. In fact, it is superior, because there is an ethnic side, which foreign products do not have.
Moreover, some foreign products are actually made in Indonesia, for reasons of efficiency in production costs and shipping costs. The maker is also Indonesian. But made with international standards. This shows that people are still confused about imported goods, even though they are the same made in Indonesia.
When there is a movement to love domestic products, it will save MSMEs. Because they can produce, when there are loyal consumers waiting for the launch of new goods. MSMEs will be safe because they are free from the threat of bankruptcy, because there are few orders. If we like Indonesian products, then we can also take them offline, so that MSMEs remain victorious.
Loving domestic products will improve the country’s economic conditions. Because if MSMEs that make original Indonesian products make goods, then the buyers attack them, their turnover will increase. As a result, the economy will run fast. MSMEs are also the backbone of Indonesia’s finances, because the majority of traders are small and medium level. Therefore, it must be assisted by this program.
) * The author is a contributor to the Indonesian Institute for Strategic Information Studies
