Government acknowledges UMKM data is not yet accurate, launches SAPA UMKM
Jakarta — The government acknowledges that data on micro, small and medium enterprises (UMKM) held to date remains static and does not fully reflect real needs on the ground. At the soft launch of the SAPA UMKM application in Jakarta on Thursday, UMKM Minister Maman Abdurrahman said this condition poses a challenge in formulating policies that are precisely targeted at entrepreneurs.
To address this, the Ministry of UMKM, together with the National Development Planning Agency/Bappenas, launched SAPA UMKM, a platform designed to deliver a more dynamic and integrated data system.
“Through SAPA UMKM, we want to turn static data into dynamic data that is continually updated, so that every policy truly aligns with the needs of UMKM entrepreneurs,” Maman said in a ministry press release.
Maman explained that the application’s presence is a strategic step towards realising an accurate, up-to-date, and integrated single UMKM data system to strengthen the effectiveness of empowerment programmes.
In addition to serving as a data base, Maman said SAPA UMKM is also designed to become an integrated service hub for entrepreneurs. He noted that the platform will integrate various services that have previously been dispersed across ministries, agencies, local governments, and other stakeholders.
He said this approach marks a change in how the government serves UMKM, from previously visiting entrepreneurs one by one to building an integrated service centre.
Furthermore, Maman said SAPA UMKM will integrate various business needs into a single application, ranging from licensing (OSS), certification, training, to connections with suppliers, logistics, large industries, and state-owned enterprises (BUMN).
The platform will also include features such as digital bookkeeping, market access, licensing services, financing, certification, and business consulting.
On the same occasion, PPN Minister/Head of Bappenas Rachmat Pambudy added that SAPA UMKM is expected to be a solution to several obstacles faced by entrepreneurs, such as limited market access, financing, logistics, and technology.
In developing SAPA UMKM, the Ministry of PPN/Bappenas plays a role in ensuring that data integration and empowerment programmes for UMKM can be connected across ministries/agencies and other parties.
“SAPA UMKM can be a platform for integrated services for UMKM entrepreneurs, as part of the digital transformation of UMKM empowerment. The platform links UMKM with various government programmes, services and facilities in a single channel,” said Rachmat.
Through this integration, the government hopes to be more accurate in identifying UMKM needs, while ensuring empowerment programmes provided are more targeted.