Jakarta, INTI - Indonesian Trade Minister Budi Santoso has encouraged micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to grow their businesses by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI). He said AI can strengthen digital marketing strategies by helping businesses identify potential markets, understand consumer preferences, translate product descriptions, create engaging promotional content, and respond to prospective buyers’ inquiries.
He made the remarks during the business forum “Go Global with AI: Unlocking New Markets with Meta Indonesia,” held on the second day of the 41st Trade Expo Indonesia (TEI) on Thursday, October 15, at the Indonesia Convention Exhibition (ICE) BSD City in Tangerang Regency, Banten.
“Business owners, including MSMEs, must learn to use AI effectively because we are now in the digital era. By using this technology to support their businesses, their products have a greater opportunity to reach consumers more quickly. We hope AI will deliver positive results in supporting business growth,” Trade Minister Budi said.
Trade Ministry Expands Support for MSME Exports
Budi reaffirmed the Ministry of Trade’s commitment to providing various facilities to support export development. These include business-matching activities with international buyers and partnerships with modern retail chains that businesses can leverage to expand their market reach.
“The Ministry of Trade remains open to supporting businesses in developing their exports, whether they are large, medium-sized, or small enterprises,” he said.
During the forum, representatives of Meta Indonesia symbolically presented the Global Expansion-Ready Catalogue to Budi. The catalogue compiles profiles of MSMEs and their flagship products participating in the Reach Global Markets with AI program.
It showcases businesses prepared to enter international markets through product research and AI-powered promotional materials. The event also featured an interactive panel discussion involving stakeholders from Indonesia’s digital export ecosystem.
AI Program Trains 200 Indonesian MSMEs
Reach Global Markets with AI is a collaborative program between the Ministry of Trade, Meta Indonesia, and UKMINDONESIA.ID. It aims to strengthen the capabilities of Indonesian MSMEs and expand their access to international markets.
The program has trained 200 MSMEs across three cities: Bandung, Batam, and Jakarta.
Sarim Aziz, Meta’s Director of Public Policy for Southeast Asia, said AI can help MSMEs allocate resources more effectively and improve operational efficiency.
“For MSMEs, AI can become a way to work more efficiently, understand markets, and allocate resources more effectively. When combined with the right business solutions, even relatively small investments can open access to new customers in global markets,” Sarim said.
He cited Zayya, one of the MSMEs receiving program assistance, which achieved an 8.46x return on advertising spend from an advertising investment of Rp150,000.
MSMEs Use AI to Strengthen Marketing and Export Readiness
Rika Christina, owner of Craftote Gallery & Coffee, was among the business owners attending the forum. She explained that AI has helped her business improve its promotional storytelling and communicate its products more effectively to potential customers.
Her business has also participated in several Ministry of Trade development programs, including the Designers Dispatch Service (DDS) and the Export Coaching Program (ECP).
Rika highlighted business-matching assistance targeting European markets as particularly valuable, as Europe is one of her business’s target export destinations.
She expressed hope that the Ministry of Trade would continue providing comprehensive support to MSMEs throughout their growth and export journeys.
“We want MSMEs to receive support from beginning to end, as long as they are committed to growing. They need assistance to achieve sustainable exports, and we hope the Ministry of Trade can continue supporting them until they become independent,” Rika said.
Through AI adoption, export facilitation, and collaboration with digital platforms, Indonesia aims to help MSMEs improve their competitiveness, reach international customers, and build sustainable export businesses.
Conclusion
Indonesia is encouraging MSMEs to adopt AI to strengthen digital marketing, improve operational efficiency, and access international markets. Through collaboration between the Ministry of Trade, Meta Indonesia, and UKMINDONESIA.ID, initiatives such as Reach Global Markets with AI aim to equip local businesses with the tools and skills needed to expand exports and compete in the global marketplace.
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