Padang, (Antara Sumbar) - Micro, Small and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSMEs) in Indonesia should take advantage of the wide-open market opportunities in the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) by strengthening promotion via internet or social media.
"All ASEAN countries are now open to market products from Indonesia, including those from West Sumatra," an expert for economic affairs at the Foreign Ministry, Ridwan Hassan, said here on Tuesday night (Oct. 31).
According to him, the handicraft and culinary products from West Sumatra are potential to be developed and exported to the ASEAN market. However, the MSMEs should improve their products packaging and promotion.
"Rendang, for example, should be attractively packaged and has a long period of expiration," he said.
Meanwhile, the Assistant Deputy of Industrial and Service Affairs, Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs, Victoria Br Simanungkalit, said the handicraft products should be able to adjust to market demand.
Craftsmen should not produce only one pattern. There should be innovation following consumers` tastes in the ASEAN market, she said.
"For example, the traditional songket cloth from West Sumatra is dominated by red and yellow, but if the market wants blue color, we should make it blue," she explained.
Promotion via the internet or social media should also be enhanced with various creations and strategies, Victoria added. (*)
Editor: Vicha Faradika
AEC Gives Opportunities To MSMEs: Ministry
Illustration. Rendang.
