WNAM REPORT: Indonesia’s Ministry of Industry has been effectively supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in adopting appropriate technology through the Startup4Industry (S4I) Rebranding Programme.
Reni Yanita, the ministry’s Director General of SMEs and Diverse Industries, said on December 30 that while SMEs drive the economy, they face challenges in technology adoption. Therefore, the ministry provided the S4I programme to address SMEs’ needs for innovative technological solutions.
She said that the programme is a strategic step to accelerate technological transformation in the industrial sector, particularly for SMEs, to enhance their competitiveness and support the growth of Indonesia’s digital economy.
The official said the ministry encourages all stakeholders, including universities, research institutions, local governments, associations, and industry players, to join this ecosystem.
Meanwhile, the ministry’s Director of Metal, Machinery, Electronics, and Transportation Equipment SMEs, Dini Hanggandari, highlighted the programme’s promising results since its launch in 2018.
Hanggandari reported that the initiative has connected 1,319 startups with 1,927 industry players and 80 investors, both domestically and internationally.
Cross-sector collaboration is critical for the success of the S4I programme. By involving startups, SMEs, government, academics, and investors, Indonesia can establish a robust technology solution ecosystem, she said.
Earlier, the ministry introduced the One Village One Product (OVOP) Programme to develop superior SMEs and expand export markets. The OVOP programme aims to strengthen domestic SMEs through mentoring, simplified market access, and compliance with necessary regulations and standards.
