Ministry of the Rise Generates Enthusiasm of SME Entrepreneurs at Expo Prukades 2017

Business Action, Jakarta - Directorate General of Rural Area Development of Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration (Kemendesa) held exhibition of superior product of rural area (Prukades) Indonesia in Mezzanine Hall, Thamrin City Mall, Tanah Abang, Central Jakarta for three days at 28 -30 July 2017.

On the first day, Friday (28/7/2017), the exhibition titled Expo Prukades 2017 was opened by the Minister of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration, Eko Putro Sandjojo.

On the second and third days, the exhibition is filled with business dialogs with the superior product of rural areas with seven professional speakers in their fields.

Minister of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration of the Republic of Indonesia, Eko Putro Sandjojo in his speech said, "Expo Prukades 2017 aims to promote the creativity results of Village Owned Enterprises (BUMDES) and open marketing opportunities for superior products of the villagers left behind widely overseas."

He added, "Expo Prukades can encourage villagers to develop all their potential to produce a business product that can drive the economic growth of backward villages."

This event can also provide protection to the intellectual rights of Indonesian creative people.

"We hope that the 2017 Prukades Expo will be able to promote the work of lagging villagers and open investment opportunities for domestic and foreign investors," said Eko Putro Sandjojo.

The Expo was attended by a number of regional heads, ministries, government agencies, state-owned enterprises, private companies, universities and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Superior Product Development of Rural Areas (Prukades) is one of four priority programs of Village Ministry, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration in 2017.

In addition to Prukades, programs run by the Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Areas and Transmigration include Village Owned Enterprises (BUMDES), Village Embung, and village sports facilities. This is stated in Ministerial Instruction number 1 of 2017 on ministerial priority activities.

Based on data from the Directorate General for Disadvantaged Areas (DGT) 2016, 80 districts from a total of 122 districts throughout Indonesia are designated as underdeveloped regions.

Therefore, Kemendesa runs a number of programs that can improve the economic level of backward villages, one of them Prukades.

Village Minister and PPDT directed, "Prukades is basically a village economic cluster that makes the village focus with its superior products, integrated upstream-downstream and has production that meets economies of scale.

He added, "Prukades is also a form of creative economic development that optimizes all potentials owned by rural communities through their work."

The work of the villagers is also supported by the Village Owned Enterprise (BUMDES). BUMDES is a medium for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing business according to their expertise.

Prukades also become more value for SMEs in developing and promoting their business. Prukades product development is developed based on technology and innovation.

The products of these disadvantaged villagers include various sectors depending on their respective rural areas. Among these are agriculture, plantations, livestock, horticulture, and fisheries.

In addition to product exhibitions from disadvantaged villagers and local Indonesian cultural products, Expo Prukades 2017 is also enlivened by traditional dance performances, music and business talk shows.

On Saturday (29/7/2017), business dialogue presents three speakers: Martin Simanungkalit, Director of Export of Agricultural and Forestry Products, Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Trade; Sunarna Eka Nugraha, Vice President of Small Business of PT Bank Negara Indonesia (Persero) Tbk and Helianti Hilman, Founder & CEO of Javara Indigenous Indonesia.

While on Sunday (30/7/2017), talk show presented four speakers: Prof. Ahmad Erani Yustika, Director General of Rural Area Development (PKP), Ministry of Village, Development of Disadvantaged Regions and Transmigration; Prof. Rhenald Kasali as an academic, business consultant and founder of Home Change; H Abdullah Azwar Anas, Banyuwangi Regent; And M Yana Aditya, Finance Director of PT Rajawali Nusantara Indonesia.

During a business dialogue with Helianti Hilman, Founder & CEO of Javara Indigenous Indonesia, SME entrepreneurs from various regions participating in business dialogue seemed very enthusiastic.

They get a lot of information and business inspiration from the successful female SMEs actor. Armed with reckless, Helianti managed to market its products to 21 countries on 4 continents.

In the question and answer session, they scramble to ask questions to Helianti For them, the time provided by the committee felt less. They also continue to consult after the talk show ended.

Expo Prukades 2017 has proven to provide great benefits to increase business knowledge and motivate Indonesian SME players to market their products to foreign countries.