(FEB NEWS) The “Regional MSME Development Workshop” for MSMEs with the material “Digital Strategy and Export Opportunities” by Untung Basuki – Head of East Java Customs I, moderated by Dr. Ika Yunia Fauzia, on Monday, June 26, 2023 was successfully held by the Department of Sharia Economics FEB UNAIR in collaboration with IAEI (Association of Islamic Economists), from the Fadjar Hall FEB UNAIR at 13.00-17.00 WIB.
Untung Basuki, in his presentation, explained the challenges faced by MSMEs during times of uncertainty. Some of these challenges include difficulty upgrading, limited access to digitalization, difficulty penetrating the global market, lack of productivity, meaning MSMEs are not yet involved in the production chain of the medium/basic business sector, and a lack of financial services to support business development. Therefore, collaboration is needed to empower and expand the market for local products (MSMEs) through exports.
The Export Clinic is a program that empowers Indonesian Attachés Abroad and Cooperation with Foreign Government Attachés in the Regions as a collaboration and orchestration of the Independent MSME Development Program by State-Owned Enterprises and the National Private Sector. This program can help empower MSMEs to facilitate exports. As in the Export Clinic Orchestration, education will be provided regarding export customs procedures, literacy understanding of regulations and provisions related to exports, assistance as an effort to provide solutions to obstacles experienced, socialization of customs facilities and procedures, and coordination with relevant Ministries/Institutions and regional agencies. The results of this fostered program, namely in 2022, as many as 12 MSMEs in the East Java I Regional Office of the Directorate General of Customs and Excise successfully exported independently with a total export value of IDR 12 billion.
In addition to the empowerment program, the speakers also provided detailed information on easy export steps and Lartas Export regulations. The hope is that many MSMEs will thrive through independent exports, thereby boosting the Indonesian economy, particularly in East Java. This workshop is relevant to and supports SDG 8, namely decent work and economic growth.