Expos managed by Indonesia embassies overseas still ineffective to SMES

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Many of the exhibitions managed by the Indonesian embassies abroad are still ineffective in the development of Indonesian small and medium businesses (SMEs) as many of such events are more oriented to tourism promotion.

Speaking during an orientation meeting for journalists, Assistant to the Production and Business Promotion Deputy at the Cooperatives, Small and Medium Entrepreneurs Ministry Priyadi Admadja said here on Friday that only a few number of SMEs were keen to participate the exhibitions managed by Indonesian embassies because the events are more tourism promotion-oriented.

However the role of Indonesian embassies in foreign countries is helping economic missions, especially by diplomatic means and information on the ways and procedures the SMEs have to follow to enable them to take part in the exhibitions.

Furthermore, he pointed out that to market SMEs` products, including handicraft articles, furniture and garments overseas, such exhibitions played a crucial role.

"Almost all the products produced by SMEs are seasonal in nature," he said, adding that the participation of SMEs in the exhibitions overseas will enable them make direct contacts with the buyers and to learn about the competition in those countries.

It is for these purposes that facilities for the Indonesian cooperatives, small and medium entrepreneurs in such exhibitions or trade missions are very important, because they are trying to seek better market access and increased market shares on international markets.

SMEs participating in these overseas exhibitions, in testing the market of their products, should be able to identify the trend of the overseas market toward their products.

Besides helping develop the international marketing network of SMEs, the exhitions are also aimed to boost their marketing capacity by providing them with learning facilities with a view to motivating them to innovate their products and businesses.

According to him, not only their participation could help them market their products overseas, the government could also help develop the businesses by setting up trading houses in those foreign countries.

The trading houses would be able to develop the marketing of SMEs` products and services in foreign trade, he noted.