Buy Local, Luhut Panjaitan Encourages Government Officials

JAKARTA, KOMPAS.com – Luhut Panjaitan has encouraged Indonesian government officials to incorporate the use of locally-made products into their daily life.

The Coordinating Minister of Maritime Affairs and Investment directed the invitation to the country’s central and regional government officials to promote and support Indonesian small and medium enterprises (SMEs) amid tough economic conditions.

Read also: Luhut Panjaitan: Indonesian SMEs are the Backbone of National Economy

“Central and regional officials should show their support towards Indonesian SMEs. This can be done by setting an example such as by purchasing Indonesian products that are manufactured domestically,” said Luhut on July 1.

Patronizing Indonesian products will also show the government’s support to champion the country’s small and medium industries.

Read also: More Than Virtual Hugs: Grab Indonesia Helps SMEs Go Digital

Thus far, the Indonesian government has allocated trillions of Indonesian rupiah to purchase products made by Indonesian SMEs.

This has been done through its procurement agency or more widely known as LKPP.

“The government must optimize the budget realization of procurement packages by as much as Rp 321 trillion for Indonesian SME. This is out of a total of Rp 738 trillion in 2020 through LKPP and the State Budget,” said Luhut.

Indonesian SMEs have also been provided access to various skills-building tools to strengthen their competitiveness and expand their market.

The government has provided training for Indonesian SMEs in product development, standardization, licensing, and intellectual property development.

Indonesian universities and prominent e-commerce businesses in the country have jumped on board to assist the government in its initiatives.

Citizen focus

The Indonesian public is also part of the government’s target in supporting Indonesian SMEs.

There is an ongoing push to drive public awareness on appreciating Indonesian products.

The effort is mainly spearheaded through the Proud Indonesia Product campaign (Bangga Buatan Indonesia).

The objective is to encourage the Indonesian public to purchase more locally-made goods particularly those manufactured by Indonesian SMEs.

Read also: Ministry of Tourism’s #BeliKreatifLokal Campaign to Support SMEs

As such, the government hopes to get the wheels of economic growth moving amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Luhut has shared his confidence that locally-made products are of good quality, hence can compete in the international market. The Minister cited as an example the country’s domestic production of personal protective gear.

Read also: Indonesia Aims to Produce Millions of Hazmat Suits

Luhut has expressed his preference to have Indonesian SMEs and locally-made products become front-runners in Indonesia.

“In my opinion, this campaign is important. Let us all come together as Indonesians and proudly purchase products from Indonesian SMEs so that they may be a leader in our own country,” said Luhut. 

(Writer: Yohana Artha Uly | Editor: Erlangga Djumena, Sakina Rakhma Diah Setiawan) 

Source: https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/07/01/221300026/menko-luhut-minta-para-pejabat-pakai-produk-dalam-negeri

https://money.kompas.com/read/2020/07/01/181456526/luhut-ingin-industri-kecil-menengah-jadi-tuan-rumah-di-negeri-sendiri