Depok Cooperatives and Micro-Enterprises Agency Urges MSMEs to Master Digital Technology to Scale Up
Depok, West Java — The Depok City Cooperatives and Micro-Enterprises Agency (DKUM) is calling on micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) players to enhance their mastery of digital technology to ensure they can grow, compete in the digital era, and scale up their businesses.
“We have conducted various training and coaching sessions, even bringing in successful entrepreneurs,” said the Secretary of DKUM Depok, Nelson Da Silva, in Depok on Monday.
Consequently, Nelson is urging all MSME players to continuously adapt to modern developments by mastering the latest technologies, improving product quality, enhancing packaging, and utilising digital marketing to compete effectively with other products.
According to Nelson, evaluation results show that the primary issue lies not in limited capital or business premises, but rather in the mindset of MSME owners regarding progress, growth, and self-improvement.
“It turns out, after investigation, it is not a problem of capital or location, but a matter of mentality. The mindset to move forward, to improve, and to better oneself is what remains weak,” he stated.
He explained that the Depok City Government continues to strive to build an ecosystem that supports MSME development through the provision of information, the execution of various events, and the inclusion of MSME players in provincial and national exhibitions.
These steps are taken so that MSME players can gain broader insights and the courage to compete in an increasingly competitive market.
“Competition today is not easy, especially in the digital era. It is very easy for people to sell via social media. Our MSMEs must also be brave enough to enter that space; they cannot simply remain idle and hope customers will come to them on their own,” he explained.
In addition to coaching, DKUM also provides various forms of support, such as facilitating Halal certification and providing interest rate subsidies for MSME players accessing credit through Bank BJB. The Depok City Government even covers up to 90 per cent of the loan interest as a form of stimulus.
However, according to Nelson, many MSME players are still unable to utilise these programmes due to banking requirements, particularly credit history or BI Checking (credit scoring).
“We have prepared the programmes, and we even pay up to 90 per cent of the loan interest. However, many fail during the BI Checking process. That is a reality we must face,” he said.
“Moving forward, they must improve themselves and keep up with the times. Packaging must be attractive, and marketing must follow trends. If we remain mediocre while others are presenting themselves attractively on social media, we will certainly be left behind. To scale up, many aspects must be rectified,” he concluded.