Barcode Certification Paves the Way for Local MSMEs to Enter Modern Retail
The Ministry of Trade is facilitating barcode certification for several Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) as an effort to pave the way for local products to enter modern retail. This initiative is being undertaken alongside efforts to drive the improvement of local product quality.
“MSMEs possess many excellent products, but sometimes they are unable to sell them. We are working with GS1 Indonesia to conduct barcode certification for packaged food and beauty care products. It is hoped that once MSMEs utilise barcodes, it will become even easier for their goods to be accepted in modern retail,” said the Indonesian Minister of Trade, Budi Santoso, during the Kick-Off event for Barcode Certification Facilitation for Packaged Food and Beauty Products at the Ministry of Trade Complex, Jakarta, on Tuesday (6/10/2026).
Budi explained that MSMEs and modern retailers essentially need each other. Retailers prefer barcoded products because they are more easily connected to inventory and distribution systems, which helps reduce recording errors. According to his records, based on information from the Indonesian Association of Retailers and Shopping Centre Tenants (Hippindo) and the Indonesian Retail Entrepreneurs Association (Aprindo), almost 80 per cent of retail space is already occupied by local products, and this will continue to be encouraged in the future.
“We note that there are currently approximately 50,000 supermarket retail outlets in Indonesia. If these can be filled with local products, it would be extraordinary. If all local products can enter the domestic market, it means our dependence on imports will also decrease,” he explained.
Budi emphasised that the provision of barcode certification facilities for MSMEs is accompanied by efforts to improve the quality of local products, including guidance on digitalisation. The barcode certification facility on this occasion is intended for 50 local MSMEs. It is hoped that in the future, more MSMEs will become beneficiaries of this facility.
“This will ensure our products are more easily accepted in modern retail, including minimarkets and department stores,” he added.