economy

The Minister Of Trade In Busan And The Asian Small Business Council Discuss Cooperation To Enhance The Export Capabilities Of Small And Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

The Ministry of Trade and the Asia Council for Small Business (ACSB) met to discuss collaboration opportunities, especially to enhance the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Ready for Innovation and Export Program (UMKM BISA Eksport). This initiative, launched by the Ministry, aims to encourage MSMEs to engage in export activities.

This discussion took place during a meeting between Trade Minister Budi Santoso, also known as Mendag Busan, and Hermawan Kartajaya, the founder and Chairman of ACSB Indonesia. The meeting was held on Monday, February 3, at the Ministry's office in Jakarta. Mendag Busan stated, "The Ministry is exploring partnership opportunities with ACSB to boost the UMKM BISA Ekspor Program. We invite more stakeholders in export and MSMEs to help maximize this program. We hope to see an increase in exports through UMKM BISA Ekspor."

Joining Mendag Busan in the meeting were Fajarini Puntodewi, Director General of National Export Development, and Arief Wibisono, Director of Market Development and Export Information. Also present were ACSB Indonesia Chairman Hermawan Kartajaya, ACSB Indonesia President Peng Suyoto, Senior Vice President External Diah Yusuf, Secretary General Ardhi Ridwansyah, and Account Manager Nining Desiwati.

During the meeting, four strategies to enhance UMKM BISA Ekspor were discussed. First, the Indonesian Chinese Social Association (PSMTI) under ACSB, along with the Indonesia Marketing Association (IMA), can act as an aggregator for MSMEs. This aggregator can participate in business matching programs to support UMKM BISA Ekspor. Second, ACSB, through Markplus, can provide training or education for potential trade representatives.

Third, ACSB can assist in the development of MSMEs. Fourth, the Ministry, through the Directorate General of National Export Development, can take part in a side event organized by ACSB in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Milan, Italy, from May 5 to 7, 2025.

In relation to the implementation of the UMKM BISA Export program, Minister Busan reported that by January 2025, there have been 72 business matching activities. This includes 40 pitching sessions with traders and 32 meetings with buyers. These activities resulted in transactions totaling USD 5.22 million, with USD 1.55 million in Purchase Orders (PO) and USD 3.67 million in potential transactions through MoUs.

Additionally, in January 2025, 196 UMKM actively participated in the business matching events. The sectors of UMKM that attracted interest included food and beverages, coffee, spices, furniture, handicrafts, medical equipment, and chemical products.

Furthermore, the business matching successfully connected UMKM with over 25 buyers from more than 10 partner countries, who are actively exploring cooperation opportunities with exporters.

Tag: Mendag Busan UMKM BISA Eksport