Intel expects to double SMEs computer ownership

Intel expects to double SMEs computer ownership

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Computer processor producer Intel Indonesia Corporation expects
to see an increase in personal computer ownership among small and
medium enterprises (SMEs) from the current third, to around half
of the 42.5 million SMEs, in the next five years.

"Considering last year's computer sales growth of 15 percent,
that target is not impossible," Intel Indonesia Corp. country
solutions manager Arya Sanjaya told The Jakarta Post.

To achieve that, no less than eight million units of personal
computers must be sold in the next five years to SMEs, Arya said,
adding that at the moment, personal computer sales reached more
than one million units per year.

Still, computer ownership among SMEs is low in the country as
compared to neighboring countries, such as Thailand, Malaysia and
the Philippines, where the average ownership is more than 50
percent.

"But, if the government provide financial assistance for the
SMEs to buy computers, the growth could be much higher," he said.

The government could cooperate with the private sector to
establish a financing scheme, such as providing one-year loans
for SMEs to buy computers, similar to loans provided for
vehicles.

Separately, State Minister of Cooperatives and Small and
Medium Enterprises Suryadharma Ali agreed with the plan, saying
negotiations with the private sector were underway to improve
SMEs' financing access, including for buying computers.

Although SMEs account for more than 90 percent of businesses
in the country, and have proven to be resilient, even during the
crisis, when most large companies struggled -- if not collapsed
-- they only contribute around 20 percent to the country's total
exports.

To boost SMEs' performance and their contribution to exports,
the sector would need to target overseas markets via the
Internet.