Ministry of Cooperative and MSMEs Republic of Indonesia plan to take full ownership of SBC tools

Partner : Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs of Republic Indonesia
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Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs is cooperating with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to work together to encourage the competitiveness of SMEs engaged in the tourism sector.

“We are working with the ILO to undertake technical assistance for SMEs engaged in homestay industry and other tourism sectors, including souvenirs vendors and handicrafts,” said Deputy of Human Resources Assessment of the Ministry of Cooperatives and SMEs Meliadi Sembiring in Jakarta on Thursday.

He said, the ILO in collaboration will provide experts and training modules that are standardized and have been tested for SMEs. For the initial stage, a total of six programs will be implemented throughout this year (2015).

“The plan this year will be held in Aceh, North Sulawesi, Java, and Central Kalimantan,” he said.

It encourages the development of tourism in a sustainable and integrated so that tourism will be able to bring prosperity to the surrounding community.

Some draft technical guidance to be developed, said Meliadi, including coaching and mentoring programs to the homestay industry related green living or eco-friendly venue.

In addition, support for tourism SMEs will also be given technical guidance such as those engaged in creative industries, tour guides, and culinary.

“We will be building for SMEs that can manage the business well, is able to cater tourists demands professionally, so they are more competitive in the era of the ASEAN Economic Community,” he said.

In the short term, Meliadi hopes people business activities related to tourism could be upgraded. Creative industries can as well be exhibited and demonstrated at hotels and tourism facilities, as tourists’ main attraction.

“For example crafters songket weaving or practicing at the hotel where tourists stay, tourists can come to practice, it can actually as one of the tourist attraction as well as boosting the competitiveness of weavers’ SMEs,” he said.