INDUSTRY.co.id - Jakarta - The Indonesian delegation led by Deputy Production and Marketing, Ministry of Cooperatives and SME I Wayan Dipta attended the 24th APEC SME Ministerial Meeting (MM) meeting and the 45th APEC Small and Medium Enterprises Working Group (SMEWG) held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 10 -15 September 2017. At the meeting, one of the important issues discussed was the increased market access through digitization.

The issue of e-commerce is much discussed by participating countries and it is expected that there will be equality from all APEC member countries to develop digital-based UMKM, Wayan Dipta said Saturday (16/9).

The 24th APEC SME Ministerial Meeting on the theme of Strengthening MSMEs Competitiveness and Innovation in the Digital Age was opened by Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Friday (15/9).

Wayan said the meeting discussed how to strengthen APEC countries' market access to global value chains, improve capacity and management with training, strengthen APEC SMEs in innovation and digital economy and encourage startup development.

At the meeting, the Philippines launched the APEC MSME Marketplace (www.apecmsmemarketplace.com) containing information about MSMEs of APEC economies. Wayan as the head of the Indonesian delegation advised the Philippines to monitor its implementation to be sustainable and beneficial to all members of APEC economies.

All APEC member countries should be able to take advantage of APEC MSME Marketplace, not just some countries. Indonesia through SMESCO, including those already using it, Wayan said.

He pointed out e-commerce issues have been carried by Indonesia in APEC meeting since long time, because Indonesia realized the trade in the era of technology will be a great power.

There are several initiatives involving Indonesia, including APEC Canada Growing Business Partnership Initiative 2017-2020. The initiative aims to enhance business and entrepreneurship skills, expand market access for products and services, and become a catalyst in social and technological innovation. In addition, the APEC Women Business Leaders Forum will be held on 9-10 November 2017 in Seoul Korea. Indonesia will be one of the speakers, which will highlight the success stories of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia.

Wayan said the APEC meeting provides many programs that can be applied in Indonesia. It is expected that 24 agencies that have work programs related to SMEs can coordinate to create a work program for the development of UMKM.

Also present as Indonesian delegation, Indonesian Ambassador Ha Noi as Delegation Counselor, Consul General of RI Ho Chi Minh City and Directorate of Aspects of Intra-Participation and Inter-Participation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Trade and Ministry of Industry.

The 25th SME Ministerial Meeting will be held in Papua New Guinea in September 2018, while the 46th SME Working Group will take place in Brunei Darussalam around March or April 2018.