Yogyakarta – The Ministry of Transportation (Kemenhub) together with the National Craft Council (Dekranas) provided digital technology-based entrepreneurship training to 52 micro and small enterprise (MSE) craftsmen in Yogyakarta. Held for 5 days from November 24 to 28, 2020, the training, which took place at the Yogyakarta Center for Crafts and Batik (BBKB), aimed to foster new craft entrepreneurs to support the development of the Borobudur Super Priority Tourism Destination.

"The numerous cultural and tourism products in Yogyakarta and its surroundings must be supported by a craft industry that can become an attraction for tourists. This is the basis for us to hold this training,” said Endang Budi Karya, Advisor to the Dharma Wanita Persatuan (DWP) of the Ministry of Transportation and Head of the New Entrepreneurship Division of Dekranas, in a press release received by Tagar on Wednesday, November 25.

Endang Budi Karya appreciated the training conducted by the Ministry of Transportation, which not only provided training but also planned and assisted in promoting and marketing the products resulting from the joint training in Yogyakarta and five other training locations such as Labuan Bajo, Mandalika, Lake Toba, Likupang, and Patimban.

"We continue to support and strive to improve the lives of MSE groups by encouraging all elements of craft business actors to be more caring, creative, and proud of Indonesian-made products,” said the woman who is also the wife of the Minister of Transportation, Budi Karya Sumadi.

The training provided, she said, includes knowledge of online business, such as website creation, social media utilization, and search engine optimization. "We also provide training to improve the quality of product design and packaging to suit market tastes and compete in the global market,” she added.

According to her, the government is currently developing accessibility to the Borobudur Super Priority Tourism Destination, both for the Joglosemar development triangle (Yogyakarta, Solo, Semarang) and direct accessibility to Borobudur, through road and railway transportation services to support historical and cultural tourism, as well as MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Convention, Exhibition) tourism in the City of Students.

Seeing this, Dekranas, as a government partner, continues to carry out various programs to foster and develop craft SMEs, providing training, especially in design, and enhancing creativity and innovation. "However, we still maintain traditional identity so that craft products remain highly sought after and have their own unique characteristics and appeal,” she said.

Some of Yogyakarta's distinctive crafts that are attractive, Endang continued, include batik, bags, bracelets, necklaces, and other handicrafts. In addition, the diversity of religious and cultural ceremonies from various religions, supported by artistic creativity and the hospitality of the community, makes Yogyakarta and its surroundings a magnet for both local and foreign tourists.

"This training program requires synergy from various parties, such as Dekranasda at the provincial, district, and city levels, to explore the potential of craft products that can be developed and then motivate craftsmen to be more creative and innovative, as well as continue to synergize with Ministries, Institutions, Private/BUMN sectors, and other parties,” she explained.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Chairperson of Dekranasda DIY GKBRA Adipati Paku Alam fully supports this training activity in an effort to improve the quantity and quality of products related to design development. According to him, creating new product designs requires ideas and creativity.

"Therefore, it is necessary to go through various stages to be able to create new product developments that can be accepted by the public. The success of a creative innovation work is highly determined by the quality and collaboration between designers and SMEs themselves,” he added.

Separately, the Head of BBKB Yogyakarta, Titik Purwati Widowati, also welcomed the opportunity to be appointed as the location and mentor for the training. "From this training, it is hoped that the productivity of the craftsmen can be improved,” she said.

Source: Tagar.id