Cooperatives and SMEs Minister: ASEAN Weekend Market Aims to Promote MSMEs’ Products

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 ASEAN Business Advisory Council (ASEAN-BAC) collaborated with Indonesia’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) held ASEAN Weekend Market at Senayan Function Hall, Jakarta. As a part of the series of the 43rd ASEAN Summit programs, the event is held during the weekend, from September 1 to 3, 2023.

Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises Teten Masduki appreciated the organization of ASEAN Weekend Market which is deemed to give real contribution in opening the opportunities for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to get a wider market access, especially in the ASEAN region.

“I think this event is very important to promote MSMEs’ products in ASEAN,” Teten said at the inauguration of ASEAN Weekend Market, Friday (09/01).

With population reaching 679 million, ASEAN has a big market potential. To optimize the potential, Teten expressed belief that ASEAN needs to increase competitiveness for the benefit of domestic and regional economic growth.

“So, according to the theme of Indonesia’s chairmanship in ASEAN, namely ‘Epicentrum of Growth’, ASEAN should unite, strengthen collaboration and support local and regional products to make ASEAN a center of global production whose products can dominate globally,” he said.

In addition, Teten explained that ASEAN also needs to boost digital ecosystem for MSMEs starting from enhancing digital literacy, equal playing field in e-commerce, preventing predatory pricing, to providing easy financial access based on transaction record for credit scoring.

Indonesia’s chairmanship in ASEAN, Teten added, can serve as a momentum for cooperatives and MSMEs to adapt to strategic issues, such as MSMEs digital transformation, and a business model adopting production transition to be environment-friendly and sustainable by using renewable energies.

“Furthermore, this opportunity can serve as a common effort to boost MSMEs in enhancing market access and entering global supply chain, especially in ASEAN region,” he affirmed.

Meanwhile, Chairperson of KADIN Arsjad Rasjid who also helms ASEAN-BAC mentioned that ASEAN Weekend Market sells various MSMEs’ products in ASEAN, such as fashion, handicrafts, food, and so on.

“This event shows the uniqueness and diversity of ASEAN cultures,” Arsjad highlighted, adding that the exhibition is a momentum for appreciating the MSMEs actors who have been working hard in supporting ASEAN’s economic growth.

“MSMEs are the backbone of the economy of Indonesia and probably in other ASEAN countries,” Arsjad remarked.