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Jakarta set to be Asia's center of MSME policymaking

The Jakarta Post

Jakarta is expected to become the think-tank hub for policies on micro, small and medium enterprises
(MSMEs) through an initiative to hold regular Asian ministerial meetings in the capital city.
"This is Indonesia's initiative, which has been approved by Asian members of the ICSB
[International Council for Small Business], to hold the ministerial events between two annual conferences,"
ICSB Indonesia president Hermawan Kartajaya said in Jakarta on Thursday, as quoted by news agency
Antara.
Hermawan is also the president of the Asian Council for Small Business (ACSB), the regional arm of
the ICSB, which has 11 member countries.
The sixth ACSB conference will be held in Myanmar in October, while the seventh conference is
slated to happen in September next year in Japan.
Meanwhile, the first Ministerial Open Forum (MOF) was expected to take place in May next year,
Hermawan said, adding that it was planned to be held annually and permanently in Jakarta.
Hermawan, who is also a special staff member to Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises
Minister Anak Agung Gede Ngurah Puspayoga, emphasized the importance of the ministerial meeting as a
chance for Asian policymakers to share their experiences on SMSE policies.
"Hence, Jakarta will be a kind of center for MSME-related policymaking in Asia," he said,
expressing his hope that government officials would join forces to support the initiative’s implementation.
(prm/bbn)

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B
Online retailers record big sales for Idul Fitri
The Jakarta Post

Several e-commerce platforms have reported significant revenues from sales prior to the Idul Fitri
holiday this year.
Blibli.com recorded a two-fold increase in sales in June compared to sales in July last year said CEO
Kusumo Martanto.
“This year’s Idul Fitri sales increased 200 percent compared to the same season last year,” Kusumo
said as quoted by kontan.co.id on Friday.
Best sellers on Blibli.com included Muslim attire, beauty products, food and beverage products,
automotive parts, gadgets and small household appliances, Kusumo added.
Blibli.com’s special offers such as Idul Fitri packages and free express shipment contributed to the
boom.
Meanwhile, Blanja.com, an e-commerce platform owned by state telecommunications firm PT
Telkom, recorded a 78 percent increase in sales during the Idul Fitri holiday.
“In March, we underwent a huge change, including in our logo and tagline,” said Blanja.com
spokesperson Rieka Handayani about Blanja.com’s business strategy to prepare for Idul Fitri sales.
Meanwhile, the Indonesian Retailers Association noted that this year’s entire Idul Fitri retail sales only went
up by 5 to 6 percent from the figures recorded during earlier months. (dea/bbn)