From Vaccination - Digitalization of MSMEs, Grab, Emtek & Bukalapak Collaborate to Present Future Cities Program

Kapanlagi.com - When hearing the word future city, what immediately comes to mind is a place with modernization in every sector as far as the eye can see. This is the vision carried by Grab, Emtek, and Bukalapak in their latest collaboration.

Grab, Emtek, and Bukalapak officially launched Kota Masa Depan (Real Collaboration for the Future), an extensive accelerator program that targets MSMEs in small cities throughout Indonesia. This program focuses on three main priorities: Vaccination, Digital Platform Adoption (onboarding to Grab and Bukalapak applications), Empowerment of MSMEs through training and mentoring of businesses through digital technology.

Targeting 10,000 MSMEs

The Kota Masa Depan program will target up to 10,000 MSMEs starting from Kupang. The journey will continue gradually in Solo, Gowa, Malang, and Pekanbaru until the end of December 2021.

Realizing that health is an important pillar of society and the economy, Grab, Emtek, and Bukalapak have also started the #KotaMasaDepan program with COVID-19 vaccination for MSMEs. Furthermore, MSMEs will also have the opportunity to generate new income by having a digital store, ensuring business stability during the pandemic.

Through this extensive accelerator program, MSMEs in small cities are given the opportunity to undergo training and receive direct mentoring from Grab, Emtek, and Bukalapak in developing themselves in the digital economy, including:

• Special training on business management mentored by Grab and Bukalapak
• Free mentoring for one month in terms of design, packaging, and marketing through social media and influencers
• Free advertising on Grab and Bukalapak platforms
• 5 selected MSMEs will receive publication in the Emtek Group media network

Assisting the Economic Recovery of MSME Players

The Minister of Cooperatives and Small and Medium Enterprises (UKM) of the Republic of Indonesia, Teten Masduki, spoke up and expressed his highest appreciation for this program. According to him, this is in line with the Government's program in accelerating digital transformation.

"We welcome the strategic partnership of Grab, Emtek, and Bukalapak in embracing MSMEs in small cities. I hope the Kota Masa Depan program can create more income opportunities for entrepreneurs and drive economic recovery in these regions as well as the national economy," said Minister Teten Masduki.

Kota Masa Depan Reaches Small Cities

The presence of technology in the form of digitalization opens opportunities in all sectors for MSME players. This was directly revealed by Neneng Goenadi, Country Managing Director of Grab Indonesia.

"We believe that there is also a great future in small cities." Our hope, the #KotaMasaDepan program can open doors to a wider market for MSMEs in small cities without having to relocate, and ultimately will have a comprehensive impact on the regional economy," said Neneng Goenadi.

Opening Access in All Sectors for MSME Players

Managing Director, PT Elang Mahkota Teknologi, Tbk.Sutanto Hartono, said that the strategic collaboration carried out by Emtek, Bukalapak, and Grab will be able to expand digitization sectors for MSMEs through platforms within the EMTEK ecosystem.

"The digital ecosystem collaboration owned by EMTEK and Grab will provide more complete access to the MSMEs on our platform ranging from logistics to inclusive finance, through platforms such as Mitra Bukalapak and GrabKios. Meanwhile, the EMTEK media network will play a role in increasing awareness for both customers and MSME players in maximizing the use of digital platforms," explained Sutanto.

Empowering MSMEs throughout Indonesia

On the other hand, the collaboration between Bukalapak, Grab, and Emtek is in line with the joint commitment to support the development of MSMEs in Indonesia through digitization. This was directly stated by the CEO of PT Bukalapak.com, Tbk.Rachmat Kaimuddin.

"The Kota Masa Depan program, which prioritizes tier 2 and 3 cities throughout Indonesia, is in line with our mission to create a fair economy for all with a primary focus on empowering MSMEs and serving underserved segments of the population," said Rachmat.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted some plans, this can be seen as a challenge for MSMEs to survive amidst limitations.

"With technology and digitization, we hope that Indonesian MSMEs can become stronger and more developed so that they can answer these challenges. Currently, Bukalapak has more than 15 million MSME partners, most of whom are outside major cities in Indonesia. Therefore, through the Kota Masa Depan program, we hope that more MSMEs can further develop their businesses through accelerated digitization so that they can move up to the next level," concluded Rachmat Kaimuddin.

(kpl/jef)