Jokowi: Indonesia’s Export Potential Hinges on Citizens Supporting Local Products

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Indonesian President Joko 'Jokowi' Widodo expressed his confidence in Indonesia’s export potential for the country of 270 million people.

However, the Indonesian President stressed the need to improve the domestic industries, otherwise ASEAN’s largest economy will have other countries reaping the benefits of Indonesia’s economic potential.

“We cannot settle in being consumers and a target market for other countries while we have these amazing Indonesian products created by incredible local talents.”

The Indonesian President acknowledged the significant shift to online businesses in the country throughout the coronavirus pandemic but also asserted the need to ensure the online marketplace is not dominated by imported goods.

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He added that he does not want global creative industry players to take advantage of the online marketplace.

“We have to turn it around. The products of Indonesian SMEs must have a place in its own country thus the marketplace must be flooded with quality products that can compete with other goods.”

When it comes to Indonesia’s economic potential, President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo is confident in the country’s talents that have proved their upper hand in fashion, gastronomy, film, music, animation, games, and so on.

To boost domestic industries, specifically the national creative industry in Indonesia, he called for the industry players to offer growth opportunities.

Read also: Indonesia’s Digital Economy Biggest in Southeast Asia during Pandemic

“We have to keep on developing the hidden potential to showcase the many varieties of Indonesian creation.”

Through the government’s digital acceleration transformation program, the President is certain that Indonesia’s export potential can go so far as to compete with other countries and grab a share of the global marketplace.

To optimize Indonesia’s export potential, Jokowi underlined the importance of getting the country’s 270 million people to appreciate Indonesian products.

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If every citizen can appreciate, purchase, and utilize Indonesian products then the country’s creative industry will, in turn, experience rapid development and growth, according to the Indonesian President.

“This will have a massive impact on the Indonesian economy. The value chain will open up opportunities for SMEs, spur employment, and contribute to a swifter national economic recovery.”

(Writer: Fitria Chusna Farisa | Editor: Dani Prabowo)

Source: https://nasional.kompas.com/read/2020/12/07/21093031/jokowi-kita-jangan-hanya-jadi-target-konsumen-produk-negara-lain