{"id":17221,"date":"2025-04-28T08:10:56","date_gmt":"2025-04-28T08:10:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/?p=17221"},"modified":"2025-06-04T16:39:38","modified_gmt":"2025-06-04T16:39:38","slug":"changing-the-narrative-positioning-msmes-in-challenging-times","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/changing-the-narrative-positioning-msmes-in-challenging-times\/","title":{"rendered":"Changing the Narrative: Positioning MSMEs in Challenging Times"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The Old Narrative<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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MSMEs have long been acknowledged as key contributors to Indonesia\u2019s economy. They contribute around 60% to the Gross Domestic Product<\/strong> and employ nearly 97% of the total workforce<\/strong>. The government has shown its support through initiatives like KUR (Kredit Usaha Rakyat)<\/strong>, expanded market access, and export promotion for local products. The current administration even established a dedicated Ministry for MSMEs<\/strong>.<\/p>

However, MSMEs are still rarely featured in national economic development agendas. They continue to be perceived as a sector in need of aid, rather than as critical drivers of Indonesia\u2019s economic engine<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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What We Learned<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Cothink\u2019s recent research on MSMEs reveals that they hold enormous potential<\/strong> to shape the country\u2019s economic agenda. While they may require support\u2014especially in early stages\u2014MSMEs can grow to become vital components in broader industry ecosystems.<\/p>

Here\u2019s what we found:<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tProduction: With consistent mentorship and support in quality standardization, MSMEs can become reliable partners to large local apparel companies.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tMarketing: MSMEs can play a crucial role in market expansion. One self-care brand experienced exponential growth across Indonesia by distributing products through MSME networks.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
  • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tSustainable Growth: A collaboration between a Peer-to-Peer Lending Platform and a rising fashion brand demonstrated how tailored financing and trust-based models can unlock exponential growth and ripple effects throughout the ecosystem.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    Most importantly, MSMEs demonstrate two essential traits that are often lacking in larger corporations: adaptability and resilience<\/strong>. These strengths enable innovation\u2014whether through new products, business models, or creative marketing strategies\u2014and are particularly vital in today\u2019s uncertain economic climate.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    The Path Forward<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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    By truly investing in and empowering MSMEs, larger companies in Indonesia can tap into their potential and contribute to long-term national growth.<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    1.\u00a0Commit to Collaboration\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBuild relationships that go beyond transactions\u2014offer support in quality standards, technology sharing, resources, and market access.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
    • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDesign tailored solutions that address unique MSME challenges, such as financing without traditional collateral.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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      2. Drive Innovation Through MSMEs<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tFund and co-create products with MSMEs, allowing them to act as innovation hubs.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
      • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tLeverage their agility and closeness to consumers to develop solutions that truly resonate in local markets.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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        3. Support Policy Advocacy<\/p><\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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        • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPartner with government to push for policies that prioritize MSME partnerships in supply chains.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
        • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAdvocate for inclusive financing frameworks that focus on practical, purpose-driven assessments.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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          Why This Matters<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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          • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tOur research highlights MSMEs not just as support actors, but as strategic partners capable of driving industries through challenging times and building economic resilience.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
          • \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tInvesting in MSMEs isn\u2019t just good corporate citizenship\u2014it\u2019s a strategic imperative. Long-term, meaningful collaboration will not only secure growth for big companies but also lead Indonesia toward a more inclusive, adaptive, and resilient economy.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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            \r\n \"Agung\r\n <\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n
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            \r\n\t\t\tAgung Pascasuseno <\/h4>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t
            \r\n\t\t\t\t <\/div>\r\n\t\t\r\n\t\t <\/div>\r\n <\/div>\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

            The Old Narrative MSMEs have long been acknowledged as key contributors to Indonesia\u2019s economy. They contribute around 60% to the Gross Domestic Product and employ nearly 97% of the total workforce. The government has shown its support through initiatives like KUR (Kredit Usaha Rakyat), expanded market access, and export promotion for local products. The current […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":18115,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17221","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17221","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17221"}],"version-history":[{"count":39,"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17221\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":18361,"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17221\/revisions\/18361"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/18115"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17221"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17221"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/cothink.id\/stagingNew\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17221"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}