Industry Ministry pushes for SMEs to level up and become more competitive
The Ministry of Industry (Kemenperin) is pushing for creative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to level up and become more competitive, including those who are also acting as content creators.
Director General of Small, Medium, and Miscellaneous Industries (IKMA) Reni Yanita stated in Jakarta on Tuesday that the ministry’s main focus remains on accelerating the development of SME players so they can create added value from domestic natural resources, open up employment opportunities, and produce goods with high competitiveness to penetrate international markets.
According to Reni, the ability to be a content creator can be an important added value for SME players, especially in supporting product promotion and strengthening relationships with consumers. “In accordance with our duties and functions, we focus more on accelerating SME entrepreneurs, creating added value or downstreaming our natural resource potential, providing job opportunities, and making these products go global,” Reni said.
She explained that skills in creating digital content can help increase market acceptance of products while maintaining customer loyalty. However, SME players must still prioritise product innovation. “The ability as a content creator can be used for promotion, increasing acceptance, and maintaining consumer loyalty. But what is more important for an industrialist is to focus on continuous innovation so that their products can be competitive,” she stated.
Reni emphasised that the role of content creator can be used as a supporting instrument in business development. The ministry also expressed appreciation for the younger generation who are able to present various creative and innovative ideas through the use of digital platforms. “Appreciation goes to young people with their brilliant ideas,” Reni said.
Based on the ministry’s records, SMEs play a strategic role in strengthening the national industrial structure while also acting as drivers of regional economies. Data from the Central Statistics Agency (BPS) for 2025 shows that the number of SMEs in Indonesia reached 4.43 million business units, or approximately 99.79 percent of the total national industry. In the first quarter of 2026, SMEs contributed 21.71 percent to the national industrial output and absorbed more than 13 million workers.
Previously, Minister of Industry Agus Gumiwang Kartasasmita stated that the national creative industry has a great opportunity to continue growing along with the increasing number of consumers from the younger generation who are more dynamic in determining product choices. To address this challenge, the Ministry of Industry, through its Centre for Empowerment of the Fashion and Craft Industry (BPIFK), continues to strengthen the capacity of SME players in these sectors so they can understand market needs and formulate appropriate business strategies. The Minister conveyed that creative industry players, particularly in the fashion and craft sectors, need to have a strong understanding of consumer behaviour in order to produce relevant and highly competitive products. According to the Minister, creativity and innovation must be accompanied by the ability to read evolving market needs, so that business players can produce goods that are not only attractive in design but also aligned with consumer preferences.