Jakarta – The synergy between the Ministry of SMEs, Customs and Excise, and various other agencies continues to be strengthened to accelerate the development of micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) so that they can compete in the global market.
Minister of SMEs, Maman Abdurrahman, said the SME sector plays an important role as a supporter of the national economy. One of President Prabowo Subianto’s main targets is to improve the SME class and expand access to capital for these business actors.
“MSMEs are the backbone of our economy, and through various programs, we will ensure that they can move up a class and become a driving force for national economic growth. The government has also issued a debt amnesty policy for MSMEs, farmers, and fishermen as a populist step to reduce the economic burden on the community,” said Maman.
Head of the Public Relations and Guidance Sub-Directorate of Customs, Budi Prasetiyo, added that Customs has initiated training and mentoring for export MSMEs, including through vertical units such as Pangkalpinang Customs and Ambon Customs.
?Our goal is to help MSMEs not only move up a class but also go global. Pangkalpinang Customs, for example, provided training to 35 MSMEs on export procedures on October 28,? Budi said.
The Head of the Ambon Customs Office, Farid Irfan, also said that his office is also cooperating with the Maluku Industry and Trade Service (Disperindag), the Maluku Province Marine Affairs and Fisheries Service, and other agencies, assisting PT Lumbung Ikan Maluku in preparing for the first export of frozen tuna to the United States.
“This inter-agency cooperation aims to encourage the growth of new exporters from the Maluku region as well as the preparation for the first export of frozen tuna to the United States,” said Farid.
Economic expert from Muhammadiyah University of Surabaya, Arin Setyowati, appreciates this government step and assesses that the debt amnesty policy has a positive impact on increasing the productivity of MSMEs and other sectors.
“With the freedom of MSMEs, farmers, and fishermen from the burden of debt, domestic consumption and demand can increase, which also supports the growth of gross domestic product (GDP) and employment absorption,” Arin explained.
Synergy between agencies provides new hope for MSME actors and the wider community. With high optimism, the community hopes that MSMEs in Indonesia can continue to grow, strengthen their position as pillars of the national economy, and be competitive in the international market.
Through this support, Indonesia shows its commitment to creating a conducive ecosystem for MSMEs so that they can grow strong and independent and become an important pillar of the economy that drives national welfare.
