Jakarta ( WNAM MONITORING): Minister of Trade Budi Santoso encouraged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to adopt technology, including artificial intelligence (AI), to enhance their business capabilities and enter the export market.
He stated that using AI can help MSMEs gather crucial information about their target markets, export destination countries, foreign trade regulations, and product designs that can attract customers.
During the launch of Gemini Academy at the Ministry of Trade’s office on Friday, he highlighted AI’s potential to assist MSME players in exploring various aspects of business and management.
“MSMEs can explore, meaning they can innovate, be ready to adapt, and improve their resource base. To succeed, MSMEs must have strong competitiveness, effective management, and a focus on product sustainability,” he remarked.
He noted that AI can provide faster and easier access to information.
Moreover, this improved access is expected to increase the number of business players, thereby raising Indonesia’s entrepreneurship ratio, which currently stands at 3.47 percent.
This figure is relatively low compared to Malaysia and Thailand, where the ratios exceed 4 percent.
According to Santoso, increasing Indonesia’s entrepreneurship ratio could help the country achieve its goal of becoming a developed nation by 2045.
“If we look at Malaysia and Thailand, both are already above 4 percent. Singapore has reached 8.6 percent, and to be considered a developed country, our entrepreneurship ratio should be around 10 to 12 percent,” he stated.
The Trade Ministry is focused on three priority programs: expanding the export market, securing the domestic market, and increasing the number of MSMEs exporting their products abroad.
Additionally, the ministry facilitates business matching for MSMEs by connecting their products with potential buyers.
In January 2025, approximately 32 business matching events were held, resulting in trade contracts worth US$5.2 million. This activity will continue to be conducted regularly each month.
