technology

Kadin Indonesia Invites Solo SMEs To Embrace Digitalization

The Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin) continues to be committed to promoting the capacity building of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as one of the strategies under the Welfare pillar in the Golden Indonesia 2045 Roadmap. This is demonstrated through the collaboration between Kadin Indonesia, Kadin Kota Surakarta, the Indonesian Internet Domain Name Administrator (PANDI), and the digital learning and talent platform, eduCLaaS, which held the "Go Digital MSMEs!" event on May 31 and June 1, 2024, at Omah Sinten, Surakarta. This initiative aims to accelerate the digitalization of Indonesian MSMEs, especially in the Solo Raya region, so that they can level up and compete globally.

Firlie H Ganinduto, the Vice Chairman of Communication and Information Technology at Kadin Indonesia, said that digitalization plays a crucial role in the development of MSMEs. Referring to data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, digitalization can save up to 50% of time and operational costs for MSMEs. In addition, MSMEs that are already connected to the go digital ecosystem have a 2.5 times greater chance of surviving in the market.

"Digitalization plays a key role in enhancing the competitiveness of MSMEs in this modern era. With the spirit of increasing the number of MSMEs going digital, the collaboration between Kadin Indonesia, Kadin Kota Surakarta, and PANDI is expected to accelerate digitalization for MSMEs, especially in Surakarta," said Firlie.

Based on data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, the number of MSMEs that have gone digital in 2023 reached 22.8 million and is targeted to reach 30 million by 2024. Therefore, Kadin Indonesia is pushing for the achievement of digitalization targets so that national MSMEs can compete globally through access to the digital market.

"We are very enthusiastic about the Go Digital MSMEs! initiative. With the support from PANDI and Kadin Kota Surakarta, we believe that this event will bring great benefits to MSMEs in Surakarta and its surrounding areas," Firlie said.

Digitalization in MSMEs needs to be supported by an increase in digital literacy. MSMEs will be trained in website governance efforts according to the Digital Literacy campaign by PANDI," said Firlie.

Chairman of the Surakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Kadin), Ferry Sephta Indrianto, explained that Surakarta has extraordinary potential for MSMEs with around 13,200 registered MSMEs until 2023. "Through this collaboration, we hope to provide significant encouragement for MSMEs in Surakarta and Solo Raya to transform digitally, so that they can grow and compete in a wider market," he added.

Meanwhile, Chairman of PANDI, John Sihar Simanjuntak, hopes that UMKM Go Digital! can strengthen and enhance the capacity of MSMEs to face challenges and seize opportunities in the digital era. "PANDI is committed to supporting the digitalization of MSMEs in Indonesia. We warmly welcome the collaboration with Kadin Indonesia and the Surakarta Chamber of Commerce and Industry in order to achieve our mission, which is to provide 1 million .id domains by 2024," he emphasized.

In line with PANDI, CEO of eduClaas, Leslie Loh, said, "Digital transformation is crucial for MSMEs to face the digital economy. eduCLaaS and Kadin Indonesia synergize to provide training for 'UMKM Go Digital!' so that MSMEs can develop their businesses and compete globally in the digital economy," he said.

Data from the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs shows that the number of MSMEs in Indonesia reached 66 million units in 2023 and contributed 61% to the gross domestic product. The presence of MSMEs also absorbs around 117 million workers, or 97% of the total workforce.