INKOPPAS encourages market traders to transition to digital transactions
Jakarta (ANTARA) - The Indonesian Market Traders Cooperative Federation (INKOPPAS) is encouraging market traders to transition to digital transactions through the launch of INKOPPAS Link, as part of an effort to accelerate the digitalisation of cooperatives and traditional markets.
The programme launch, themed “Market Digitalisation, Empowered Traders, Happy Buyers”, was held at Cibubur Market, East Jakarta, on Thursday (17/9).
INKOPPAS General Secretary Andrian Lame Muhar stated that digitalisation is necessary to strengthen connectivity between market trader cooperatives, many of which still rely on manual systems. “INKOPPAS is recorded to have more than 2,00_00 member market trader cooperatives across Indonesia. Because manual methods are still used, information from the centre often only reaches a portion of the members,” said Andrian.
According to him, INKOPPAS Link is expected to integrate various needs of cooperatives and traders through digital devices, ranging from transactions and cooperative bookkeeping to savings and loan services and payments using QR codes. “That is why today, INKOPPAS along with all member market trader cooperatives in Jakarta and Indonesia are launching a product called INKOPPAS Link,” he said.
Andrian noted that the development of INKOPPAS Link was carried out alongside strategic partners, namely Monologi as the system developer and Moneta as the payment gateway provider. He added that this digitalisation is also aimed at supporting the strengthening of supply chains and inter-regional and inter-cooperative payment systems. “The goal is for members to be able to do business more quickly and consistently, so that they become financially stronger and more prosperous,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Expert Staff to the Minister of Cooperatives for Macroeconomics, Ruli Nuryanto, stated that the Ministry of Cooperatives supports the development of INK_OPPAS Link as part of the digital transformation of cooperatives and traditional market traders. Ruli said the programme needs to be directed to provide real benefits to members, rather than merely stopping at the launch stage. “We certainly hope that INKOPPAS Link truly provides benefits to its members, and is not just festive during the launch,” said Ruli, who attended representing Minister of Cooperatives Ferry Juliantono.
According to Ruli, the use of digital technology can help traders expand their consumer reach through integration with messaging applications, WhatsApp Business, and social media. He noted that INKOPPAS Link also has the potential to be developed with local delivery services and online motorcycle taxis, allowing traders to serve orders from consumers without them having to visit the market directly. Additionally, traders can utilise digital catalogues to display products and payment links to facilitate consumer payments via digital banking or electronic wallets. “This digitalisation also saves time, organises financial records, and most importantly, increases customer trust,” he said.
However, Ruli emphasised the importance of increasing the digital understanding and skills of members so that the use of technology can run optimally.
Meanwhile, a representative of Cibubur Market traders, Kusnadi, invited traders to utilise digitalisation without abandoning the character of traditional markets that prioritise interaction and kinship. “Do not hesitate to try new technology. The advantage of traditional markets, which are full of kinship and bargaining, must be maintained, but we bring the service to a modern level,” said Kusnadi. He hoped the digitalisation programme would be sustained to provide a direct impact on increasing the capacity and welfare of traders. “If traders are strong, the market is strong; if the market is strong, the community’s economy will also be strong. The market may become more digital, but the sense of community must not be lost,” he said.