In facing the ASEAN
Economic Community (AEC) 2015, Indonesia SME products should be able to enter
to penetrate the markets of ASEAN countries that will be flooding Indonesia.
“SMEs, particularly fashion and handicrafts, should not be afraid because
actually SMEs is the spearhead of the Indonesian nation that should be used as
a mainstay or vanguard in facing AEC,” said the Director General of Small and
Medium Industries at the Ministry of Industry, Euis Saedah, in Jakarta, on
Tuesday (October 28).
After representing the Minister of Industry in opening
“Sriwijaya Exhibition,” at Plasa Industry, Euis suggested that there are two
preparations of SMEs in facing AEC 2015, namely strengthening of the capacity
of SMEs and equipping them with technology improvement, either with the help of
machinery or in the framework of restructuring of the textile and foot wear
industries. Besides, domestic industries, such as toys and baby clothes, must
comply with mandatory SNI, because the provision also applies to domestic producers
as well as imports.
Meanwhile, according to Euis, so that SMEs will be able
to improve expertise or skills, SME entrepreneurs who have passed selection,
will be invited to participate in a number of exhibitions nationally and
internationally. “This is an effort of the Ministry of Industry to encourage
SMEs in order to further improve the quality in facing a freer trade era. As
for other provinces outside South Sumatra, we expect that they will be able to
follow the example of other regions or provinces whose SME products have met
the local as well as national classifications, and are able to penetrate the
international market.
All of this is supported by a quite strong infrastructure
in the region, so these kinds of products become the pride of Indonesia. For
the domestic market, we must be able to convince consumers of the quality
produced by the national itself. Meanwhile, to compete in the International
market. The products produced by our nation must be of high quality,
innovative, and always follow the development of consumer demand or tastes.
Industry Minister, Saleh Husin, on that occasion,
expressed his hope that the exhibition of South Sumatran products can also be
done by other provinces, so that if developed, they could help Indonesia to host
its own country. Moreover, with the help of designers and songket craftsmen, it
will make these products expand to the international market, he explained while
accompanying his wife in the opening of the exhibition.
South Sumatra is one of the provinces that have abundant
wealth of cultural and natural resources, both natural and tourism potential.
Its potential must be developed for the betterment of the entire community.
According to Eis, the great cultural wealth potential that have high value should
be maintained, and continuously improved in terms of quality, quantity, type of
product and the uniqueness of diverse cultures, customs, traditions, and
typical and unique arts.
Growth of SMEs in South Sumatra is quite rapid. In 2011,
the number of handicraft and clothing business units only reached 377 units
with 5,058 workers. While in 2012, the number of handicraft and clothing
business units reached 2,263 units with 6,152 workers. It is able to
significantly contribute to the structural changes and strengthen the domestic
economy. The exhibition, which is held until October 31, 2014, was participated
by 44 SME crafters as under the guidance of the Industry and Trade Department
of cities featuring originating from the regencies/cities, batik, songket, wood
crafts, coconut crafts an typical food of South Sumatra. (E)
Business News - October 31, 2014
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