Deputy Interior Minister: UCLG ASPAC a Momentum to Propel Local SMEs into Global Markets

Local Indonesian SMEs can become famous abroad. Kendari (ANTARA) - Indonesia’s Deputy Interior Minister Akhmad Wiyagus emphasised that the United Cities and Local Governments Asia Pacific (UCLG ASPAC) forum in Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi, represents a momentum to propel Indonesia’s SME sector and tourism into global markets. The Deputy Interior Minister, speaking in Kendari on Friday, stated that various regions in Indonesia, including Southeast Sulawesi, possess abundant tourism and local craft potentials that must be massively promoted through such international forums. “Local Indonesian SMEs can become famous abroad. From exporting activated carbon goods, tiger grouper fish, to the fashion sector that is no less world-class,” Akhmad said during his speech in Kendari. He explained that through this forum, the Ministry of Home Affairs proposes five joint action plans. One of the main points is enhancing the creative economy and empowering local SMEs as supporters of sustainable tourism. According to Akhmad, UCLG ASPAC also serves as a strategic platform to build networks and strengthen collaborations among local governments in realising sustainable tourism development. “Then, promoting inclusive economy based on sustainable tourism development, as well as implementing principles and utilising digital transformation,” he said. He revealed that utilising digital transformation in tourism allows for accurate monitoring of destination management, particularly regarding its environmental impacts. This aims to increase the number of tourists without damaging the natural ecosystem. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Akhmad continued, wants every tourism destination in the regions to have a strong cultural narrative. Thus, tourists visiting do not merely take photos, but also appreciate the philosophical values of local crafts and cuisine. He exemplified several regions that already have strong craft identities, such as East Java as a centre for leather craftsmen, gold and silver crafts in Bali, batik centre in Yogyakarta, craft industry in North Sumatra, to noken bags in Papua. “Including Southeast Sulawesi, which is famous for its local crafts and various tourism potentials,” Akhmad added. Regarding the tourism sector, he reminded that there are 10 priority tourism support areas in Indonesia, one of which is in Southeast Sulawesi, namely Wakatobi. With that priority status, the government is committed to focusing on building world-class facilities. The goal is to distribute tourist movements so they do not pile up in one destination point alone. “Thus, new economic growth centres can grow in all corners fairly and evenly,” Akhmad stated.