This collaboration aims to support the acceleration of MSME digitalization in Indonesia while also driving domestic economic recovery.

AKURAT.CO – The Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs (KemenKopUKM), in synergy with the National Handicraft Council (Dekranas), is organizing an event themed 'Cerita Kriya' in Bali from September 8-11, 2022. In collaboration with WhatsApp and MSME Indonesia, this initiative aims to accelerate the digital capabilities of MSMEs by launching the 'Tumbuh Jagowan' Training Chatbot.

"This collaboration is intended to support the acceleration of MSME digitalization in Indonesia while also driving domestic economic recovery,” said Minister of Cooperatives and SMEs (MenKopUKM) Teten Masduki in Jakarta on Monday (September 5).

The UKMJagowan.id website was launched to help Indonesians discover high-quality MSME brands from various regions in one place.

He expressed gratitude to all related parties, especially WhatsApp and MSME Indonesia, for their cooperation and support in achieving the government's goal of expanding market access for MSMEs in Indonesia.

"These programs are essential to ensure that MSME entrepreneurs receive the right support and can benefit from the shift in consumer behavior toward online shopping,” said MenKopUKM.

Regarding the Indonesian government's target of digitalizing 30 million MSMEs by 2024, Minister Teten stated that approximately 19 million MSME entrepreneurs have already gone digital.

"With millions of Indonesians using WhatsApp in their daily lives, leveraging this platform is a strategic step to bring MSMEs into the digital space,” he said.

Through the collaboration between KemenKopUKM, WhatsApp, and MSME Indonesia, more than 400 MSME facilitators affiliated with KemenKopUKM have been trained. These facilitators will train other MSME entrepreneurs to help digitalize their businesses and expand market access.

The 'Tumbuh Jagowan' Training Chatbot is designed to simplify and make training more accessible for MSME entrepreneurs in remote areas of Indonesia.

MSME entrepreneurs can engage in self-training using various modules covering topics such as effective digital marketing, optimizing WhatsApp Business for product promotion and sales, utilizing multiple channels for business digitalization, and obtaining export certification.

At the end of the training, participants will be evaluated, and MSME entrepreneurs who meet the requirements may receive promotional support on UKMJagowan.id.

WhatsApp's Director of Social Impact, Clair Deevy, stated that WhatsApp is proud to collaborate with KemenKopUKM Indonesia in facilitating the digitalization of MSMEs in Indonesia.

"We will continue to support the government's target of integrating 30 million MSMEs into digital platforms by 2024,” she said.