On August 19, 2023, USABCI held an SME workshop on “Empowering Indonesian SMEs: Unlocking Digital Potential for Global Success” at the Ballroom of Hotel Tentrem in Semarang, Indonesia. The workshop was officially opened with remarks from Mr. Mario Masaya, Senior Research Director for Digital Policy of USABC, followed by remarks from Mr. Arsjad Rasjid, Chairman of KADIN; Mrs. Nita Yudi, Chairwoman of IWAPI; Mr. Sumarno, Regional Secretary of the Central Java Province; and Mrs. Siti Azizah, Deputy of Entrepreneurship, Ministry of Cooperatives and SME. The program consisted of 3 sessions: 1) Panel Discussion: Accelerating Indonesian SMEs’ Role in the Digital Economy, 2) Dialogue with Entrepreneurs: Maximizing the Role of Women Entrepreneur and Collaboration with Private Sectors, and 3) Individual Company Showcases.
The panel discussion highlighted the the digitalization landscape in Indonesia, the current outlook for Indonesian SMEs, and best digitalization practices from US companies in the region. Featured panelists included Mrs. Siti Azizah, Deputy of Entrepreneurship at the Ministry of Cooperatives and SME; Mr. Andreas Diantoro, Managing Director of SAP Indonesia; and Ms. Alisha Sulisto, Head of Government Engagement – Regional Southeast Asia of Visa.
The second session featured Mr. Delta Purna Widyangga, CEO and Co-Founder of Qiscus, and representative of KADIN, and Ms. Rinawati Prihatiningsih, Co-Partner and Chief Operating Officer of PT. Infinitie Berkah Energi, who also served as a representative from IWAPI. These local entrepreneurs shared insights on their entrepreneurship journey, KADIN’s program for entrepreneurs, women entrepreneurship and IWAPI, and the ASEAN SME Academy as a learning platform to empower Indonesian SMEs.
The final session featured individual company showcase, highlighting Visa, SAP, and FedEx Express. USABCI remains grateful for the insights shared by Ms. Alisha Sulisto, Head of Government Engagement – Regional Southeast Asia, Visa; Mr. Yosua Setiawan, CEO of Segari; Mr. Andreas Diantoro, Managing Director of SAP Indonesia; Mr. Garrick Thompson, Managing Director of FedEx Express Indonesia; Mr. Nicolaus Wicito Adiputa, Senior Manager of Sales Department of FedEx Express Indonesia; Ms. Mardyah Sofian, Senior Manager of Operations of FedEx Express Indonesia; and Mr. Bier Budy Kismulyanto, Head of the Semarang Customs Office for their insights.
