Digitalization of MSMEs as the Main Driver of the National Economy in the Era of President Prabowo’s Leadership
JAKARTA – Minister of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), Maman Abdurrahman, invited MSMEs to immediately adopt digital technology to increase productivity and competitiveness in the modern era.
“MSMEs must start adapting to the digital ecosystem to be ready to face the challenges of the times,” said Maman when inaugurating the revitalization of the State General Market in Jembrana Regency, Bali.
He hopes that the renovated market can become a center of economy and innovation for local entrepreneurs.
“Jembrana Regency is indeed different from Jakarta because the flow of social media there is extraordinary. But in five to ten years, the conditions will be the same. So, after this market is built, let’s invite MSMEs to learn to use social media to market their products,” he said.
As a concrete step, Maman revealed plans to launch Super Apps Sapa UMKM, an application designed to make it easier for UMKM players to market their products digitally.
“Our initial program is to create Super Apps for all MSME entrepreneurs in Indonesia. We will coordinate with many parties so that all MSMEs can be united in one platform so that MSME actors can market their products more easily,” he explained.
Maman added that this application will be equipped with dynamic artificial intelligence (AI) technology, allowing data such as the number, products, and location of MSMEs to be updated automatically.
“In this application, we will create a system with artificial intelligence-based machine learning that is continuously dynamic,” he said.
In addition, the application will also provide access to financing, training, and export opportunities for MSMEs.
“We predict that in Sapa UMKM there will be around 30 to 40 million business actors who join. This application will also open the way for world companies to see the market and product potential of Indonesian UMKM,” said Maman.
Deputy Minister of MSMEs, Helvi Y Moraza, also emphasized the importance of digitalization in overcoming the classic obstacles faced by MSMEs.
He said that President Prabowo had mandated strengthening capital and market access as top priorities.
“MSMEs can no longer be pampered with conventional systems. Like it or not, they must enter the digitalization of the economy,” Helvi said.
